The sun rose above the horizon, spreading pink and orange colors. Lloyd watched it in awe, eyes wide. It was difficult to see sunrises in the Outcast. There were too many trees. But here…mixed with the endless ocean, the salty breeze, and the colors wavering on the water…it was stunning.
"Hey, is that where we're heading?" Kai pointed to a piece of land farther off. It looked like a random blob in the water, rising up.
"That's it," Garmadon said. "Chen's Island."
Kai glared at him suspiciously. "Right…you sure know a lot about what's going on."
Garmadon rolled his eyes irritably.
"We're almost there, then?" Jay fiddled with his hands nervously. "What do you guys think it's like?"
Cole yawned tiredly. They'd basically gotten no sleep the whole trip. "Probably just an ordinary island. Who knows?"
"I've seen movies of people getting trapped on islands…"
"That won't happen." Cole patted him on the back.
Jay didn't look convinced.
An hour later, the island had grown in size. It looked large, with jungle all around. It rose up as a mountain, with smaller mounds around. Tall rock formations stood out of the water in some places.
"Get ready for docking!" Clouse walked over to the front of the ship, where most people had gathered, including the ninja, Wu, and Garmadon. "We're here."
The ship soon pulled up to a docking area. The board was put out again, so they could cross over to land.
Clouse got off first. He gestured to the island, and the building. "Welcome to Chen's Island. We do hope you enjoy your stay."
Everyone started filing off.
Lloyd stared in awe as they left the ship, gaping at the structure before them. Tan, smooth rocks made up the floor going to a large brown wall with double purple doors leading inside. The wall had painted-on golden dragons, and two purple banners hung down beside them. A monastery-like building lay beyond it, only the top showing.
Clouse led them forward, leading them up the stairs and to the doors. The doors seemed to open by themselves, revealing a long purple carpet leading to more double doors, these ones brown. People lined either side, banging on drums. They were dressed in red clothing, with hoods over their heads. Snake symbols were on all of them.
Lloyd shivered a little, uneasy. Jay moved closer to Cole.
The building they had been only able to see the top of from outside now stood before them. It was tan, with black tiled roofing and a large, round golden symbol above the door. Two purple flags sat on the wall, and red pillars with painted golden dragons twisting around sat beside the wall as well, going from the left of the door and also to the right of it.
Clouse opened the other double doors, leading them inside.
Lloyd gaped again at the large, round room. The floor was brown, with a golden snake painted on. Around them were purple…stairs? Or maybe they were seats. Lloyd wasn't sure. Red pillars were positioned along the room, and windows from above let light in. Lanterns floated on chain above them. Two large purple banners hung down in the front of the room.
They all walked down the steps into the large room.
Lloyd glanced at his father, seeing his tense expression. He swallowed uneasily, then looked around again. Guards were stationed around at intervals, and Clouse directed them to sit in a half circle, facing the purple banners hanging down.
They all did so.
Clouse went and stood by the banners, waiting.
A guard suddenly rang a loud gong. Lloyd started, then blushed a little in embarrassment. Music started playing. The doors behind them shut.
"All rise for Master Chen," Clouse said.
A chair was suddenly lowered down into the room, behind the large purple banners in the front. A man sat on the throne, wearing red fancy robes. He wore a hat, that was basically a snake skull. A large snake skull. A purple snake hung around it, and Lloyd wasn't sure if it was dead or…he wasn't sure. The man had a black mustache and small beard, and grey and black side-burns. He seemed to have red paint around his eyes.
Once the chair had lowered, the man smiled. "Hello, hello! Welcome to my Tournament of Elements! I hope you all had a smooth ride here. I am Master Chen, the host of this tournament. It's so nice to meet you all!"
The contestants exchanged some looks.
"Now, let's introduce you all to your fellow contestants." Chen motioned to people, one by one. "Gravis, Griffin, Ash, Shade, Skylor, Chamille, Tox, Mr. Pale, Bolobo, Karlof, Neuro, Jacob, Krux, Acronix—"
Garmadon and Wu both stiffened, looking at Krux and Acronix.
Lloyd frowned.
"—Basalt, Nox, Tsula, Carver, Bob, Blink, Musoke, Ichor, Papier—"
"Mâché!" Papier Mâché quickly corrected.
Chen ignored her. "—Surprise, Jay, Cole, Zane, Kai, Nya, Lloyd, Garmadon, and Wu." He paused as Clouse whispered something in his ear. "Oh! And it seems we have two other elemental masters here. Dareth and Morro."
Lloyd stiffened. Morro? The one who'd told the city that he was a half breed?
Garmadon and Wu also stiffened beside him.
Chen grinned. "There will be different challenges throughout my Tournament of Elements. Each of you will battle each other for victory and honor. Two against two, then a special round! The rules are simple—don't go anywhere without my permission, use it or lose it, and enjoy your stay on my wonderful island!" He leaned back. "That is all! Enjoy your stay. The tournament will begin shortly. Those of you who don't have an outfit for the tournament will receive new outfits in your designated rooms. My servants will take you there. Feel free to look around for a few minutes!"
Everyone exchanged glances, sizing each other up.
Chen watched them all.
They all stood uncertainly. Tournament brackets, set up to depict who would fight who in the first challenges, stood to one side. The elemental masters seemed to congregate in that direction as curiosity overtook them.
The ninja followed the crowd, and so did Lloyd, Wu, and Garmadon.
Everyone soon gathered around the brackets. Wu, Garmadon, and Lloyd stayed to the back.
"Morro's here?" Garmadon said quietly to Wu. "That can't end well. He's a traitor."
Wu frowned, searching the crowd. "I haven't seen him…I supposed I shouldn't be surprised he's here, though. He is an elemental master."
"But he's going to cause trouble! For Lloyd!"
"Calm down. I'm sure it will be fine. Besides, coming into this, we should have expected to see people we know."
"Like Krux and Acronix?"
"Yes. Like them."
Lloyd moved closer to them. "Why do you think Morro is here…?" Anxiety clenched his chest tightly. Last time, Morro had told on him. What would he do this time?
"He's an elemental master," Wu said. "He probably wants to win."
"Win what? What's the big prize?"
"I don't know."
Lloyd frowned.
"What are your elements? I don't recognize the elemental symbols on the board."
They all looked, seeing a man with a white gi on and a red belt. He had a…shuriken? of some sort in his belt, with a clock in it. He wore red sunglasses and had slicked back brown hair.
Another man also walked over, wearing shiny silver armor, black clothing, and wore a helmet. He had metal gloves on his hands.
"That's none of your business," Garmadon said.
"It is Karlof's business. Karlof may have to fight you." The man with black clothing crossed his arms—with a little difficulty because of his large metal gloves.
"We'll see."
The man with red sunglasses zipped around them. "Name's Griffin Turner. Master of Speed."
"Do half breeds even have elemental power?" The man was the same one they had met on the ferry, with grey skin, metal armor, and a wolf symbol. He gazed at them coolly.
Lloyd stiffened uneasily.
Garmadon glared at them. "Back off before I show you now what power I have."
The men suddenly looked nervous, taking a step back. Lloyd noticed some of the other elemental masters were looking at them too, watching. They all looked suspicious.
The ninja walked over, glancing between each other.
The men backed off, but whispers quietly to each other.
"Is something wrong, students?" Wu asked.
Jay swallowed. "Well…Zane and I are the first fighting in the tournament…"
Zane nodded. "Though thankfully not against each other."
"I see." Wu nodded. "I am sure you'll do fine."
"But what happens if we—"
Jay was cut off abruptly by Chen. "Now, everyone, my servants will lead you to your rooms!" He smiled cheerily.
Guards came up to them.
Lloyd swallowed as they were all separated, all to different rooms. He wanted to stay with his dad and uncle and friends. Now, he would be alone.
When he arrived at his room though, it wasn't too bad. It was large, with a green bed and a large TV. Doors led out to a balcony.
The guard left, shutting the door.
He suddenly felt very alone. The room was too large, too fancy, too…not like the Outcast. He was used to…simple. That was all he needed. Not this.
He bit his lip, wrapping his arms around himself. It would be fine. They would find his mom, and get out of here. They would play Chen's game, his tournament, until they found everyone.
Then they would leave and forget about this place.