At the Temple of Airjitzu, Thunder was wearing the helmet to see if it did something as the others got into ready stances while Trail, Spike and Applejack gave a sigh at this as Thunder sighed and took off his helmet. "Sorry, guys, nothing." He said.
"Darn, I was sure trying on the helmet was gonna help us figure out who those samurai snakes guys were." Landrush said. "I thought it would be a magical artifact or something."
"So did I, and it's Snakurai." Pinkie added.
"Whatever." Landrush said.
"Me too." Aqua said in agreement. "Thunder, are you positive the helmet doesn't do anything?" She asked her coltfriend.
"Ha! Besides make me look cool?" Thunder asked with a smirk as the others gave him a brow. "What I know how to accessorize like Rarity and Gaia." He said in defense.
"Well, there's something about this helmet that's familiar to me though." Trail mentioned it as he took the helmets from Thunder. "I just can't place it."
"Perhaps Master Wu or Celestia knows." Twilight suggested. "They are wiser and seen so much in Equestria."
A bit later, they entered the room where Wu and Celestia are sleeping on separate beds. "Master Wu, Celestia, this helmet." Trail said as he showed them the helmet and placed it on Wu's bed. "I feel like we've seen it before. Can you two tell us anything?"
Both ponies sat up in the bed as they got a good look at the helmet. "Curious." Wu said as he looked it over. "Time…"
"Time?" Gaia asked.
"Time waits…" Celestia continued.
"Time waits…" Rainbow repeated.
"Time waits for no…" Wu said before he placed the helmet down as he and Celestia then passed out as they started snoring.
"Uh, Masters?" Flash asked with a brow as the two ponies woke up.
"Did somepony mention lunch?" Celestia asked them.
"No, Celestia, no one mentioned lunch." Lloyd said to them.
"Then why did you wake us?" Wu asked in confusion before the two passed out and snored again.
"That was a bit weird." Spike commented.
"They're not themselves." Lloyd said as they began to walk out of the room.
"Clearly, lunch isn't for three more hours." Pinkie mentioned.
"That, and they're still recovering from Acronix's attack." Gaia said with a brow.
"Ahh, this is just perfect." Smolder groaned. "Mysterious snake samurai… Uh, Snakurai attacked Equestria, Cyrus Brog and Dr. Gear are missing, and our team is down two masters and one Ninja." She stated as they walked up to where Frost is laying on a bed, where Rivet is doing some repairs on him.
"How is Frost doing, Rivet?" Sandbar asked in concern.
"I'm doing my best. But Frost still won't respond." Rivet said while inspecting Frost. "Whatever hit him, got him good."
"You gotta get Frost back online." Lloyd told Rivet. "He was the last one to see Cyrus Borg and Dr. Gear."
"I know. But I don't have the equipment I need to bring Frost back online." Rivet replied. "I don't even have the proper tools. And I doubt they'll let me use Borg Industries to do that."
"We might be able to reboot Frost with the computer in the old Samurai X Cave." Aqua said to them. "Although, we could use some help."
"Well, I don't use it anymore, so why not?" Aqua asked with a smile.
"I'm in." Landrush said.
"You know I am." Thunder said to Aqua.
"I'm in." Spike said.
"I'll come." Applejack said.
"Mee too." Gaia said.
"I'll join." Flash said.
"I'm down." Morro said with a shrug.
"Me as well, darling." Rarity said.
"I don't mind joining." Fluttershy said.
"We'll tag along." Sandbar said on behalf of him and his friends.
"Twilight and I will stay with the Serpentine Kids, Cozy, and Nyx." Lloyd spoke up.
"Some of us should keep an eye on Master Wu and Celestia." Twilight said as they looked at the two ponies sleeping. "While also training Clockwise."
"I'll go to the museum and talk to Dr. Saunders." Trail said to them while holding the helmet.
"Good call. Dad is an expert on all things Equestria." Clockwise said to them. "Maybe he knows what Master Wu and Celestia are too weak to talk."
"We better come with you, we have some questions ourselves," Tempura said as Lloyd put the helmet on Trail's head.
"Good thinking." Lloyd said to them before turning to Trail. "Go and see what you three can see."
In the museum, Dr. Gear and Borg are tied up and gagged by the Vermillion warriors as they are placed in coffins while Krux and Acronix watch. "The Vermillion Warriors have done well, brother." Krux said with a smirk. "Borg and Gear are captured and the first step of our plan is complete. It's time to begin Phase Two." He said as they walked up to their secret room.
"How?" Acronix questioned. "Phase Two requires many more Vermillion than we have." He said as they walked up to the pods.
"We'll have them shortly." Krux assured. "With even more growing in the swamp. Soon, there will be a force of thousands."
"Okay, but how do the two of us control a force of thousands?" Acronix questioned while leaning on the wall.
"I've had 40 years to develop this plan, brother." Krux said with a smirk as they walked up to the desk. "Did you not think I took that into account?" He questioned as he gestured to a corner. "May I introduce…" An orange Vermillion with a big helmet came in as his eyes glowed. "Commander Raggmuck…" Then another orange vermillion, with the helmet similar to the others, came in next. "Commander Blunch…" And then a female red vermillion came in with a salute. "And Commander Machia. Hand-selected from the most genetically superior serpentine. Their superior intellect allows them to communicate telepathically with the Vermillion Warriors and control them to the hive mind." He explained as the three commanders came up to them.
"You really have thought of everything." Acronix said to his brother with a smile.
"Indeed. I bred them to be strategic thinkers." Krux said as they gathered around the table. "In fact, they have been working out the details for Phase 2."
"With your permission, sir." Blunch spoke as he placed a map on the table. "I've outlined an attack, so we can-"
"We've outlined." Raggmuck corrected before they both started hissing at each other while Machia crossed her arms.
"Hand-selected?" Acronix asked his brother with a smirk.
"They're fighters." Krux said to him. "One must expect a certain amount of…aggression." As Raggmuck and Blunch kept hissing.
"The plan!" Acronix yelled as he slammed his hoof on the table.
"Of course." Blunch said with a bow. "I will explain."
"We will." Raggmuck said as they both started hissing again before Machia got between them.
"Enough! You will tell them the plan or I will eat the two of you for breakfast, bones and all!" Machia threatened while Acronix was surprised by her outburst.
"Hm. Aggression." Krux said with a smirk.
At the Samurai X cave, they had frost lay down on a table as Rivet was hooking him up to the monitors. "Okay, he's hooked up to the main computer." She told the others. "While I'm repairing him, we should be able to access his memories and see what happened. So let's hope for the best."
"Hooves crossed," Aqua said as Rivet pressed a button.
"Come on, Frost." Fluttershy said in concern, but Frost didn't react.
"Nope. Still out." Rainbow said.
Morro then saw something. "Hand on. There's something on the video feed." He said as they saw the back of Dr. Gear and Borg.
"Well, this is a surprise." Borg said.
"We didn't expect to see you." Dr. Gear said next.
"Who did you-" Frost spoke before he turned and the visual went out.
"Um, did I miss something?" Pinkie asked in confusion.
"Yeah, one second Frost is talking then nothing." Thunder said in agreement.
"Okay, let's try again, only slower," Rivet said as she pulled the switch and replayed the video where Frost then saw a blur with a green item charging at him before he blacked out. "Okay, there was definitely something there that time. Did any of you hear a noise that sounded like something was speeding up?"
"Kind of, and what's weird it sounded very familiar." Rarity mentioned. "Try playing it again, but even slower this time."
"Let me see." Rivet said as she type a few buttons, but then the screen frizz out. "We lost the connection.
"And Frost." Silverstream said in concern.
Back at the Airjitzu Temple, Misako and Luna came in with two cups of tea as they gave them to Wu and Celestia. "Thank you, sister and Misako," Celestia said to them.
"Focus Tea might help to clear our heads," Wu said to them.
Lloyd and Twilight sighed solemnly. "Maybe you two should have some as well?" Celestia suggested to the two.
"Uh, what?" Lloyd asked as he and Twilight turned to them.
"You two seem… distant." Wu stated in concern.
"Yeah. It's just that, as a master-in-training, it feels like I should be doing something." Lloyd spoke up.
"And as Princess of Equestria, I wonder if I'm doing as much as I can to protect Equestria and keep it going." Twilight said with a conflicted look. "But what?"
"Twilight, Lloyd… a true ruler or master must always…" Celestia started.
"Yes, Celesta? Must always what?" Twilight asked before cups fell and Celestia and Wu passed out again before they woke up.
"...and only then will he be a true Master and Ruler." Wu finished while Lloyd and Twilight gave confused looks.
"Sorry, w-w-we didn't quite get that." Lloyd said in confusion.
Celestia shook her head. "We said, a true master must…" Then they sleep again as the four ponies looked at each other strangely. Though Luna did notice some grey on her sister's mane and grew suspicious.
At the museum, Trail, Clockwise, and Tempura walked in. "Hello?! Dad?! You here?!" Tempura called out.
"We're back!" Clockwise called out, but no respond.
"He's gotta be here somewhere. He's always here." Trail said while holding the helmet.
"Yeah. Father is practically an exhibit himself." Tempura joked as she and Clockwise chuckled as they searched around, not seeing some snakes hissing and spying on them.
"If anycreature who can shed light on the origin of this helmet, it'll be him." Trail said to them before he saw his ancestor's portrait. "If only my parents were here so we can ask them what it is. Actually, I wish I could ask them anything." He said sadly. "It's been so long since I saw them."
Trail then flashbacked to one day, when he was a foal. He trotted to his parents room where he saw a unicorn stallion who shared his coat with an ash black mane, mustache and goatee, standing next to a blue pegasus mare, laying on a bed holding a bundle in light blue blanket.
"Mommy? Daddy?" Little Trail asked as he walked in.
The two adult ponies turned to him and smiled. "Trail, come and say hello to your new baby sister," The pegasus mare said as Trail climbed onto the bed and the mare showed him a sleeping baby unicorn filly. "Her name is Aqua Stream." The mare said softly.
Baby Aqua blinked her eyes open as she looked at her big brother and cooed happily as Trail smiled and held her close. "Hello, Aqua," Little Trail said as he nuzzled her as their parents smiled at them.
"You really miss them, huh?" Tempura asked while she and Clockwise gave sympathy looks to Trail.
"Yeah." Trail said as he smiled fondly at that memory before he frowned. "We missed them so much." The snakes spying on them then slithered off.
"We kind of know how you feel but with our own mom and stuff." Clockwise mentioned. "She died when we were both fillies and we really miss her."
In the hideout, the three generals went through the plan. "Excellent. You may strike when ready." Krux said as the snakes slithered in and formed into the armor as Blunch read it's mind and turned to the Hooves of time.
"My sentries say we have visitors." Blunch said to them.
"It's a museum. We have lots of visitors." Krux pointed out with a look.
"One of them is a ninja," Blunch said.
"A Ninja!?" Acronix repeated as he stood up. "We need to see what he's up to." He said as he walked off, but stopped when he realized something as he turned to his brother. "Oh, wait, I'll bet you never set up a security camera, Mr. I-Hate-All-Technology-Even-Though-It's-Cool!" He said sarcastically as Krux walked past him.
"I have something better," Krux said as he took out a periscope and the two looked through the eyes of the snake statue and saw Trail, Tempura, and Clockwise.
"The Fire Ninja and the Girls?!" Acronix asked in shock. "They must be on to us. And the Fire Ninja must've told your daughters. Perhaps he's more dangerous than I first thought." He said as he walked up to the Time Blade. "I'll neutralize him before he uncovers our plans to the girls." He said but Krux stopped him.
"No. That will draw too much attention to everything." Krux told him. "I will take care of this." He said as he turned to the commanders. "This changes nothing. Commence Phase Two." He ordered as the commanders saluted to them and turned to the armor.
Back in the Samurai X Cave, Rivet and Aqua were finishing some cables on the computer as it beeped. "Upgrade complete," Aqua said with a smile as Rivet walked up to the controls.
"Say hello to Super Slow Motion," Rivet said as she pressed the button as the video played, but even slower before Rivet paused and showed Acronix with his time blade, as they all gasped.
"Who is that?" Sandbar asked in shock.
"One of the Hooves of Time, Acronix!" Rainbow spoke up.
"WHAT?!" Pinkie yelled in shock.
"And he still has his Time Blade." Rarity added with shock.
But then the video played as Acronix knocked Frost down and took Borg and Dr. Gear away. "That's why Frost didn't see it coming!" Flash called in shock. "Acronix fast forward in time as a blur!"
"But wait, Borg and Gear said they saw somepony else approach before Frost was attacked." Rivet mentioned as she rewound the footage. "But who?" She played it back as they saw a familiar figure looking down on Frost with an evil grin. "Dr. Saunders?!"
"Hold on. That means he and Acronix…" Landrush started.
"...Are working together?!" Both Gaia and Landrush cried in unison.
"WHAT?!" Pinkie said again while holding her head.
"And he's hooked up with those slithering Snakurais too!" Flash said with a serious look.
"Oh, I always knew there was something snakey about that guy!" Thunder growled while looking at Dr. Saunders.
"No there wasn't." Ocellus said. "Dr. Saunders is such a kind old pony. Remember all those school field trips to the museum?"
"Exactly! And how boring were those?!" Thunder questioned.
"I kinda like them." Smolder muttered while rubbing her arms.
"They weren't evil to me." Spike said in agreement.
"The point is, he's definitely gone full snake now." Thunder said to them while looking at Frost.
Aqua then gasped. "And Trail, Clockwise and Tempura are headed right into that snake's nest!" She exclaimed as they looked at the picture of Dr. Saunders.
"WH-?!" Pinkie tried to say before Morro slapped a hoove over her mouth.
Krux in his Saunders' disguise walked in and snuck up behind the three with a smirk. "Aah! Dad!" Tempura called as the three turned to him. "Don't you snuck up on us!"
"In the very flesh-flesh." Krux said with a smile and his fake accent. "You were expecting different father, sweetie?"
"No, you just startled us." Clockwise said with a chuckle.
"But actually, we were looking for you." Trail said to him.
"Were you now?" Krux asked.
"Trail was wondering if you recognize this helmet," Tempura mentioned as she passed the helmet over to her father.
"Hm, it slightly resembles a post-Serpentine War Samurai battle helmet, but is probably just a knock off." Kruxtold them. "Cheapy-cheap-cheap. Perhaps costume from Equestria-con?"
"Uh no dad, we don't think so." Tempura said.
"We got it off a snakey Samurai Warrior we defeated," Trail said to them.
"Snake warrior?" Krux asked in surprise.
"Actually, a bunch of snakes, all, like, twisted into one, attacked the Borg Store." Clockwise said to him. "It was on the news. You should really watch TV dad."
"You know I despise TV." Krux told them as he looked away with an evil mad look. "A vile, bilious contraction." He whispered as he dropped the accent.
"What was that, dad?" Clockwise asked.
"I-I-I mean interesting. Heh!" Krux said with a chuckle before looking at the vengestone bracelet on Clockwise. "And Clockwise, is that vengestone bracelet? Where'd you get?"
"Oh well, I don't know if you noticed, but there was this weird time wave that hit a yesterday that caused time to move forward for like about a minute." Clockwise started as she rubbed her head. "When it hit us, I sort of felt a little second stuff before all of a sudden I was moving so fast that I could barely stop myself. I nearly went over the edge of their Airjitzu Temple."
"Interesting, go on." Krux told her as he already knew where this was going.
"Well, the ninja thinks that I may have gotten one of the Hooves of Time elemental powers, the one that can speed up time," Clockwise told him. "But they're going to help train me to master this power so I wouldn't have to worry about speeding up. It's kind of cool to be honest, you know, me able to do Spinjitzu and everything like the Ninja. Almost as cool as my new BorgWatch I got." She bragged as she pulled out her watch and placed it on her left hoof. "I know you don't like modern technology, dad, but this is just so cool and useful."
"Yes…well…" Krux said with a small cough before he turned to Trail. "If you leave this helmet with me, perhaps I can look into its origin. Goodbye!"
"Master Wu always says, 'Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today.'" Trail said to him. "So I would like to look around now. Maybe I'll stumble on something useful. Is that okay?" He asked.
"Of course." Krux said with a forced look. "We are open to the public for seven days of the week. Late on Thursdays." He said as he put the helmet on the statue.
"Hurry! We've got to get to Trail before that double-crossing Dr. Saunders." Aqua said.
"Wait, what about Frost?" Fluttershy asked while looking at Frost with Rivet beside him.
"I'll keep an eye on him." Rivet said to them. "I'll do a reboot protocol on him to see if he might reactivate. You guys go help Trail."
"You heard her. Let's go!" Sandbar called as they rushed out of the cave as Rivet then turned to the monitors while seeing the screen frizz before Pixal appeared through it.
"Pixal?" Rivet asked in surprise.
"Rivet, please wake up, Frost! Our creators needs us!" Pixal cried out desperately.
"I-I'm sorry, Pixal. But thanks to Acronix, he's definitely out of it." Rivet said while looking at Frost. "It will take some time to get him back online, so he, as well as you, are off duty."
Pixal gave a frustrated look before a thoughtful expression came to her, "Wait, perhaps not. Rivet, can you perform a simple favor for me?" She asked.
"Well, anything for a friend." Rivet said while having a confused look. "What do you need?"
"I think it's time for a little assembly." Pixal said with a smirk as Rivet caught what Pixal is saying as she smirked as well.
"Just send me the blueprints and I'll have it done in two shakes of a tail," Rivet told her with a smirk.
"Excellent." Pixal nodded as the upload progress began.
Meanwhile, the three Vermilion commanders had their eyes glowing as a bunch of manhole covers popped open. Soon the Vermilion Warriors in either orange or red snakes climbed out of the sewers and marched out onto the streets.
The creatures all screamed at the snakes as one of them had its helmet on backwards before putting it the right way as the three commanders watched. "Fresh off the rack! Arise my army!" Bunch called.
"Our army!" Raggmuck corrected.
"Let's hope for your sake Phase Two is a success." Machia told them both. "Or they will become my army!"
"No, they'd still be our-" Raggmuck tried to say before Bunch hissed at them before Machia separated them as the creatures screamed.
"Yes, grab the best…" Bunch said as they saw the snakes collecting many builders. "The most skilled…" He continued as they then grabbed some technicians before grabbing some tailors. "And the finest crafts creatures!" He finished.
At the museum, Trail is looking around while Tempura and Clockwise was next to him while Krux was anxious for the fire ninja to leave. "Master Wu taught us that any problem can be solved." Trail said to Krux. "It just takes thought and time," He continued while Acronix watched through the statue.
"I am quite very certain there is nothing to interest you here," Krux said to him.
"Hm, I don't know." Trail said while looking at the sarcophagus, where Dr. Gear and Borg muffled in screaming while hearing Trail's voice. "I mean, what if this guy was related to the snakes we fought?"
"Not likely. And really, I doubt you'll find anything." Krux said as he quickly move Borg's wheelchair aside so they wouldn't see it. "Our collection is mostly harmless artifacts."
"Except for the Yin Blade, father," Clockwise said with a brow. "Remember the Day of the Departed?"
"Oh just one only time, nothing for you to worry about," Krux waved off.
"Maybe." Tempura said to them as she sat on the throne. "But you'll never know what might open the door to some secret information." She said as she leaned back, which caused the entrance to Krux's secret hideout to as Krux quickly blocked their sight. "Something we're missing in this puzzle."
Acronix then looked through the door as Krux waved his hooves to him. "Like, you know the expression, 'One can't see the forest for the trees'?" Clockwise asked as Krux went up to his brother.
"You said you were taking care of this." Acronix whispered.
"Something that's right in front of us." Trail added while rubbing his chin.
"I am taking care of this," Krux said to his brother firmly.
"You're their father, send them to their rooms or something!" Acronix suggested.
"They're like us, brother. They hardly listen." Krux countered.
"Then I'll take care of this." Acronix said as he picked up the Time Blade and rushed out, but Tempura got off the throne and the secret door closed before Acronix could get out.
"What was that?" Tempura asked with a confused look after hearing the noise.
"Nothing!" Krux quickly said with a smile. "Now, really, I must insist you to go home, Trail." He said to Trail as he guided him out of the museum. "It is after closing time."
"Dad, the Museum opens until 9 tonight." Clockwise said with a weird look.
"Well, I couldn't find anything connected to the helmet anyway." Trail mentioned with a shrug before Tempura realized something. "It was a longshot, anyway."
"Trail wait, I think I found out where you saw that helmet before!" Temporal called out, causing Trail to quickly rush back as she held the helmet while standing next to the mural of the battle between the Elemental Masters and the Hooves of Time. "Look, the helmet of both Krux and Acronix are wearing look exactly similar to the one we have!"
"You're right! It was detailed to match except for the holes!" Trail said in realization.
"Wait, Acronix is gone and Master Wu and Celestia said that Krux was lost in time forever." Clockwise said while rubbing her chin.
"So that means, Krux must still be around somewhere!" Trail finished with wide eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous." Krux said with a nervous smile as he walked up to them. "I have told you, they are MYTH?!" He said before his face hit one of the snakes on the statue, causing him to lose his glasses and fake mustache while his true face was shown while doing his best to cover it.
"Dad?" Tempura asked in surprise.
"What's up with your-wait," Clockwise said before she turned to the painting where Krux's picture is while Krux tried to put his mustache back on. "Father, you! You're Krux?!"
"Which means Master Wu and Celestia were wrong!" Trail called out. "You weren't lost in time!"
"No, no, no, no! That is positively… Correct." Krux told them with an evil smirk as he dropped the act as he knew the jig was up. "I've been hiding here, right under their noses, for 40 years!"
"So that explains why you couldn't do magic at all, you had it taken away along with your elemental powers!" Tempura said with realization.
"And now I know where I got my powers from!" Clockwise added in shock.
"I knew I had seen that helmet before!" Trail added as Krux took off his disguise to reveal his Hooves of Time suit.
"Well, aren't you three clever. Like your father. Such smart little ninjas!" Krux called with a smirk as he walked up to the three.
On the road of Equestria City, the Ninja, Council and the Young Six were driving on the road with each one riding some vehicles before the creatures the Vermillion Warriors captured were leading them away somewhere when they took notice. "Uh, darlings. Look who's back." Gaia spoke up.
"Snakurai!" Pinkie snarled.
"Now what are they doing?!" Flash question as they noticed the Vermilion Warriors were gathering a bunch of creatures.
"Either their kidnapping more creatures or organizing a parade." Landrush mentioned.
"Aw, I love a parade." Thunder said with a smile.
"Me too!" Pinkie cheered.
"Me as well!" Silverstream added.
"Aqua, keep going to the museum!" Flash called out to her. "We'll deal with these guys."
"NINJA, GO!" They all said as the rest of the Ninja Airjitzu while carrying the Young Six out of the Super Sonic Raider as the Council parked their vehicles as they faced the Vermillion warriors.
"NINJA, GO!" Trail called as he did Spinjitzu on Krux, knocking him down while Tempura and Clockwise watched.
"I almost forgot that Wu taught you Spinjitzu." Krux said with a glare.
"Yeah, but I came up with this one all on my own." Trail said as he did a front flip and kicked Krux to the gut while Acronix watched through the statue's eyes before Trail flew up and kicked it, knocking Acronix down while tackling Krux.
"I knew I should've done it myself!" Acronix complained as he went to the entrance of the secret hideout but was blocked off when Trail knocked Krux into the sarcophagus. The sarcophagus blocks the entrance as it opens to reveal both Borg and Gear inside.
"Borg and Gear?!" Tempura asked in shock before she and her sister looked towards their father. "You kidnapped them, but why?"
"And was anything throughout the years we did together even real?!" Clockwise questioned her father.
"Half true. The other half, I prefer the word require for the need of Borg and Gear." Krux said with a smirk.
"That means you took out Frost too!" Trail yelled with a glare.
"Nothing is getting by you three." Krux smiled as he stood up. "Today is both your day. Too bad it's your last. You two can't face your own father, and Trail and I are nearly an equal match, but let's see how you do against both the Hooves of Time! Brother!" He declared, but heard knocking sounds as Tempura, Trail, and Clockwise gave confused looks. "Brother?!"
Acronix was banging on the blockage of the entrance while trying to get out. "Come on!" He called in annoyance and frustration.
Meanwhile, the Vermillion Warriors charged at the Ninja as they stood ready to find and save the creatures. They were able to knock a few of them back as they stood their ground. "Looks like somepony wants to play." Rarity said with a look before throwing her disk at the Vermillion Warriors.
"Wish we had the rest of the team here to help." Spike said in concern. "We can barely take on three even with all of us."
"Well, say hello to our newest members, Lefty, and Righty!" Landrush called as he looked at his front hooves as they glowed in Magma Punch before he gave a clap, which created a shockwave that knocked them off balance. "Oops! Wow, if I'm not careful I can take us all out."
"You think?!" Smolder questioned with a look.
Thunder looked at his front hooves, "Lefty, Righty, nice to meet ya. Also, do better!" He yelled at Landrush's ear, which he flinched back.
"Okay, okay." Landrush said as he swung his hoof for a punch, but he missed as he was sent flying and crashed into a car as he struggled to get out before he did, but his hooves were moving on their own. "Whoa!" he called as he was wrecking the street while everyone, even the Vermillion Warriors, watched weirdly.
Landrush picked up a car and tossed it crazy at two Vermillion Warriors, but nearly hit Applejack. "Whoa! Watch where you're throwing those things, Partner!" She called.
"It's out of my hooves! Whoa!" Landrush cried as he moved his hooves like crazy.
"It is your hooves!" Rainbow yelled out.
"I'm still trying to get used to them!" Landrush called out.
"How is it that Landrush's having trouble with his new body while I seem to be getting better?" Morro questioned with a brow.
"You're asking the wrong pony." Pinkie said with a shrug to Morro.
"Here's an idea, Landrush, get used to them in the enemy's direction!" Flash called out.
Landrush then turned and tossed a Vermillion Warrior and tossed it away to the others. "Hit the dirt!" Spike called as he tackled Smolder down as the others ducked as the Vermillion Warrior crashed into Thunder and he fell into a dumpster.
"Landy! Stop!" Gaia called as she rushed up to Landrush and held his hooves. "Concentrate! Control your powers. Focus on my voice." She said as the two looked at each other as Landrush took a deep breath as his hooves stopped glowing, which made Gaia smile. "There we are."
"Phew, thanks, Gaia." Landrush said in relief before he realized something else. "Thunder!" He called as he and the others rushed up to where Thunder is as the three Vermillion commanders came out.
"Fools! Did you forget your mission?" Machia questioned the troops. "We need the creatures. Forget fighting the Ninja!"
"But Commander Machia, they are warriors," Raggmuck said in defense. "Fighting is what they do."
"Which is why we need the creatures." Machia stated. "There is much to follow in Phase Two." She said as she used her telepathic powers to communicate with them. "Is the Master of Metal captured?"
"Yes. He was a bit tougher without his metal, but he's captured." Bunch said to her.
"Good. Now, into the sewers." Machia said as they opened the sewer hatch and every creatures fell down.
"Hurry, Thunder! Get out of there." Flash said as Thunder came out.
"Just don't let Landrush hurt me." Thunder said fearfully as he got out and they got into ready stances, but saw the Vermillion Warriors and the captive creatures gone.
"Uh, hey, what?" Gallus asked.
"Where'd they go?" Rarity asked in confusion.
Back at the museum, Aqua parked the Super Sonic Raider as she walked into the museum and saw some red snakes near a samurai armor display. "Snakes. Why am I not surprised?" She questioned as she rushed up the pillar and started climbing to the second floor, but the snakes merged with the armor and caught Aqua as it tossed her to the ground. "Okay, that surprised me." She admitted.
Aqua then shot water at the armored snakes with her water power as she blasted them out of the museum. "Stay! No more surprises." She said with a look as she rushed further into the museum.
Back with Trail, he is still fighting Acronix while Tempura and Clockwise watch uncertainty and conflict while Trail is protecting them. "Is that all you got?" Krux taunted as he punched Trail back. "Your ancestors would be very disappointed!" He called before he kicked Trail to the statue, which caused the head to wobble.
"Don't you ever mention my ancestors!" Trail retorted before he grabbed Tempura and Clockwise as they quickly moved aside to avoid the snake head as Krux looked at Clockwise.
"You have the power to control time, but you are too afraid to even use it, just like your mother, little to no ambition." Krux taunted Clockwise with a sinister smirk.
"Never mention our mother!" Tempura called with an angry look while holding her sister while looking at her vengestone bracelet.
"Wu and Celestia may have been good teachers, but they're not here to help you three now." Krux said with a smirk as he rolled Borg's wheelchair at them, which Trail quickly got on to stop it.
"Don't you mention Wu or Celestia either!" Trail countered.
"Oh, Ninja, such misplaced loyalty." Krux said as Trail used the wheelchair to hit Krux, but he avoided them as he stopped next to his ancestors portrait.
"My ancestors helped Wu, Garmadon, Luna, and Celestia defeat you once. And I will do it again!"
Krux gave a laugh. "Is that what you think?"
"That's what I know. Master Wu, Celesita, and Luna told me!" Trail called as he drew his sword and charged at Krux.
"But you were not there, young Ninja." Krux said as he rushed up to a sword on display. "I was, your ancestors were, Wu, Luna, Garmadon, and Celestia." He said as he blocked a strike from Trail. "They told you a lie. Your ancestors were not who they think they are. They didn't fight against us. They fought with us!" He called as he pushed Trail back.
"What? That can't be true." Trail said with disbelief. "They were heroes!"
"True, they were heroes during the Great War, but also heroes for our side, me and my brother's side." Krux told him with an evil smirk.
"Don't believe him, Trail!" Clockwise called out. "He's trying to get under your skin!"
"Oh but it's all true, and not just them, little fire ninja!" Krux told him. "Both your ancestors and parents were traitors!"
This stung Trail as he looked down in shock by this before he growled. "NO!" He screamed as he charged at Krux, but he simply tripped him down as Trail hit the floor with a scream.
"Trail!" Tempura cried out.
"Oh, Trail, you've let your emotions get the best of you." Krux mocked. "The truth hurts, doesn't it, ponies?" He taunted the three as Trail got up and pick his sword up.
"Not as much as this will-" Trail was cut off when the sarcophagus was pushed down, making Borg and Dr. Gear fell to the floor as the group saw Acronix coming out with the Time Blade.
"Ugh. Sorry I'm late." Acronix said to his brother.
"Acronix!?" The three ponies asked in shock.
"Oh, you're right on time brother." Krux told him before he looked at his daughters. "Tempura and Clockwise, officially meet my twin brother, your uncle, and most importantly, your future."
"What?" Both unicorn twin mares asked.
"You see, when the Fast Forward Blade arrived and you gained its power, it had confirmed what I suspected all along about Elemental Power." Krux explained. "They are never truly lost. The moment you both were born, I sensed that same spark me and my brother once had all those years ago, they just laid dormant and needed a big push to be awakened."
"So when the Time Blade and I arrived, it lit up the spark in one of you to unlock its powers you have inside you." Acronix said while holding the Time Blade. "And it appears, my dear niece, Clockwise, you're destined to wield my powers. The ability to forward or slow down time." He told her.
"Wait, if that's true… then that means I will…" Tempura tried to say as she looked at her own hooves.
"You're destined to wield my powers, my dear daughter." Krux said with a smirk. "It's part of the twin special."
"You know, for twins, one of you looks much older." Trail said, comparing that Acronix is younger than Krux.
"He was born three minutes earlier," Acronix commented while gesturing to Krux.
"Time waits for nopony, youngsters." Krux said as he drew his sword as he and Acronix charged at Trail as the three clashed with each other, but Acronix hit Trail with his blade and smacked him to the wall as he fell to the ground.
"Trail!" The twin mares cried out while Borg and Dr. Gear muffled while Clockwise looked at her vengestone bracelet in conflict before she gave a determined look before she reached out to it.
Acronix laughed as he walked up to Trail with his Time Blade raised. "But it's time out-" He was cut off when Clockwise appeared from a green energy over him and kicked him back as he gave a yell.
"Missed him by a few moments, uncle." Clockwise said with a glare with her hooves glowing green.
"Clockwise?" Trail asked in surprise.
"Oh, so you finally mastered your powers alright?" Acronix questioned as he got up.
"Not exac-" Clockwise then vanished as she appeared on the other side of the room. "-ly. Ugh. I seriously need to practice." She said before she disappeared again and reappeared beside Tempura.
"Take practice, my niece. Trust-" Acronix was cut off again when a water beam hit him and he lost his grip on his Time Blade as they turned and saw Aqua by the entrance.
"Aw, gee, what a mess." Aqua sarcastically said with a smirk. "And to think we just cleaned up the museum." She said.
"Aqua!" The three shouted as they rushed up to her.
"Good to see you, sis." Trail said as he raised a wing and his sister raised a hoof as they high-five each other.
"Back at you, bro." Aqua said with a smirk as they glared at the Hooves of Time. "Now let's teach these two a lesson in sibling rivalry." She added as Krux cracked his neck while Acronix stood up. "If that's okay with you two?" She asked the two twin mares.
"Kick 'em while they're down!" Tempura said without hesitation. "Nobody insults mom!"
"Ditto!" Clockwise added with a glare.
"Definitely your daughters." Acronix commented as Krux glared.
"Just fight, brother." Krux said as he and Acronix faced Trail and Aqua.
The four then fight as Acronix fights Trail while Aqua fights Krux as they exchange blows. Dr. Gear and Borg then scoot their way to the Time Blade while the twin mares watch. The four then kept fighting each other before Aqua and Trail stood back to back.
"They are good." Acronix commented.
"Switch?" Trail asked his sister.
"He's all yours!" Aqua answered as the two switched opponents.
"But we are better, brother!" Krux called as Trail did an air kick, but Krux dodged and avoided a fireball while Aqua fought Acronix as the two tied up scientists were trying to grab the Time Blade as the four kept fighting each other and knocking each other down while Krux was pouring pressure on Aqua.
"I could really use a hoof, brother!" Aqua called as Trail helped her up.
"I'm here for you, sister!" Trail answered with a smirk as he tossed her sister at Krux, kicking him into the sarcophagus as it closed, trapping him as Trail laughed. "Looks like we have the upper hoof." He said as he and Aqua lared at Acronix, who was in a ready position.
"Give up, uncle! You can't beat two Ninjas at once!" Clockwise taunted.
Acronix growled before he turned to the Time Blade that the scientists were about to reach. "You're right." He said, when they realized what Acronix was looking at.
"The Time Blade!" Aqua called out.
"Don't let him-" Tempura tried to say, but Acronix flipped over and held Borg and Dr. Gear while holding the Time Blade.
"Until next time!" Acronix called as he raised the Time Blade up as it glowed.
"No! We can't let him…" Trail was cut off when Acronix, Borg, Gear, and Krux in the sarcophagus vanished. "Use it!"
"Oh! Too late!" Aqua cried out. "They're gone!"
"And so is Borg and Dr. Gear." Tempura said as the four looked at the spot they vanished.
"Vanished… before our eyes." Trail said as he walked up to the helmet and picked it up as he sighs.
"Well, for me it was more that they ran out, you know because of the same power as the Time Blade." Clockwise mentioned before her power sort of fluxed and she disappeared and reappeared, smack face against the wall. "Ow!"
Back at the Samurai X cave, Rivet was typing things on the computer while the others gathered around Frost. "So it looks like Acronix and Krux are working with those Snakurais." Aqua said grimly.
"Yeah, but why are they kidnapping all of Equestria's builders?" Irona asked with a confused look.
"There is still way too much we don't know here." Flash said while rubbing his chin.
"So many questions yet so little answers." Morro said while giving a thoughtful look.
"Like are we destined to turn out like our father and uncle?" Tempura asked while she and Clockwise looked at each other with confliction and concerns.
Trail was having a thoughtful look as well. "Or like, was Krux lying or are my ancestors or my parents really… traitors?" He asked himself.
"You seem lost in another place…" Aqua said to her brother. "...or time. What is it?"
"Uh…" Trail said while trying to find the right words. "What if everything you believed in turned out to be a lie?" He questioned.
"What?" Aqua asked in surprise.
"I-" Trailed to say before Rivet spoke up.
"Gusy! Frost is rebooting!" Rivet called as they huddled around Frost as a beep was heard as Frost opened his eyes.
"4, 7, 2, 1…" Frost muttered as the others looked at him in confusion and surprise. "...9." He continued, whatever Krux and Acronix are planning, they are planning something big and it looks like Frost is having a malfunction with himself.