Chapter 27: Time's Up
The Time Twins and Vermillion brought Wu to their Vermillion Dome of Doom. Pushing him along through a swamp of their base, while they walked the two brothers laughed as they celebrated their victory.
"Such balance. Such power. When Ninjago is finally under our rule, they will sing songs about our triumph today, brother, and—" Krux gloated as his brother cut in
"Oh, you're so right, brother. How are you doing back there, Wu? Perhaps he's gone deaf with old age." Acronix elated with a mocking grin
"Unfortunately, no. I can hear every one of your attempts at humor." Wu spoke
"Move it, old man." Machia ordered as they entered a building made of wood, trees, and moss. Once they entered, Wu was put into a cell before meeting the two former commanders, as Machia was promoted to Supreme Commander of the army. Which made the former two sulk but stopped as Machia looked at them. Wu spoke up.
"Isn't all this celebrating and promoting a bit premature? My ninja are still out there."
"Six of them against all this? They have no leader. They have no Time Blades. They have no chance." Krux stated
"One can only imagine how helpless they must feel. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost." Acronix taunted and the army laughed. But then Acronix's BorgWatch beeps. Krux growled
"What are you doing?" He demanded his brother.
"Sharing this with all my Instabook followers. "Achieved... total... victory."" Acronix sad as he texted
"Why must you ruin every good moment with your modern techno-garbage?" Krux said putting a hand on his forehead
"And why must you be so stubborn about staying in the ancient past?" Acronix shot back and Wu shook his head and sighed as he sat in his cell. Then he watched as the unconscious Cinder was brought in, with Sparx being held in a lantern. Acronix looked at the dragon.
"What should we do with the dragon, brother?"
Krux looked at the dragonet, then at Sparx.
"I know this dragon is one of the ninja, we'll put Vengestone on him to block his powers. But we'll use the dragonfly as a hostage to force him to do our bidding."
"Ooooooo! Very devious idea dear brother! But where to put him?" Acronix questioned
"The blacksmith shop. Those two blacksmiths had been slow on making armor and weapons for the army. Plus his strength would help make things quicker. As for the dragonfly? We'll put him near Borg so he can watch his slow and boring process." Krux said and ordered two Vermillion soldiers and Machia to take the purple dragonet to the shop. Wu watched them take his pupil and student away.
"I hope, for Ninjago's sake, that my students can stop the two."
—
"Hello you two, Krux has brought you a helper to help with your work." Machia said with a sneer as her two men brought Cinder in. The couple looked astonished by this.
"Uhh… thank you, but me and my wife are doing fine on our own." Said the man
"Well, too bad. Krux is annoyed by slow pacing of work. He's allowing you some help to get you two to do more work quicker while the dragon delivers the gear to my men. Now I'm taking my leave, and Krux better see a boost in the production." Machia orders and she leaves, her two men following behind her. The man looked at his wife.
"Well, how can we do more work? The dragon is still unconscious, and probably can't understand us."
As he said this, there was a groan and the two looked over as the young dragonet slowly woke up. After shaking his head from the drowsiness and a lump on his head Cinder looked around. The first thing he saw was a man with black hair sticking upwards slightly. Wearing a red vest with an apron with a dragon head symbol on it. The woman next to him also had black hair, wearing a light blue shirt and dark blue pants, with an apron over her shirt. Behind them Cinder could see was a blacksmith's shop, with all the tools needed for making weapons, tools, and armor. A fire roared within a fireplace, its flames licking the stones around it. Cinder's gaze went back to the couple.
"Hello?"
"Uhh… hello?" The man spoke, astonished by Cinder speaking. "Who… are you?"
"My name's Cinder." The dragonet replied with a confused expression. " What happened? How did I get here? I was fighting against the two twins with my brother and friends. But then was forced to grab the other Time Blade as they had my uncle hostage, then got knocked out." Cinder answered and then rubbed his head. "Who are you two? I swore I recognized you from somewhere. But where?"
"Hehe, you're a very funny dragon Cinder, I'm Ray, and this is my wife Maya." Ray introduced and looked at the dragonet. "You're a very unique dragon Cinder, I don't recall a dragon like you before."
Cinder warbled in embarrassment and scratched his head, but flinched as he touched the tendered bump.
"Thanks, but I hope the others are ok. Same with Master Wu."
"Huh, I didn't know Wu has a dragon as a companion." Ray noted and Cinder laughs
"Actually, student. Me and my brother, along with 5 others, are students of his." He replied but cocked his head . "How do you know him?"
"Me and my wife were friends and ally's to Wu and Garmadon." Maya responded as her husband grabbed a weapon and put it in the flames and began hammering it, then put it in water as it cools. Maya spoke
"Speaking of Wu's students, who are they?" She questioned
"Uhh… my brother Cole, Jay, Zane, Lloyd, Kai, and Nya."
The two blacksmiths' eyes widened when hearing the last two names. Ray dropped the sword in his hands to the floor, making a loud bang.
"Kai and Nya… are they both siblings? One controlling fire and the other water?" Ray inquired
"Uh yes, but how do you know those two?" Cinder questions with a confused look on his face. Maya sighs
"Because we're their parents."
Cinder's eyes went wide in recognition. He remembered where he saw them, there was a portrait of them in the museum being held by Kai…
"By the Ancestors… your Kai and Nya's parents! How did you two get here?"
"Well, it's a long story. But we can't chat right now. We need to get to work or else Krux would get suspicious." Maya said and Cinder nodded but then felt something on his forelegs and looked down, behind his mother's jewelry were Vengestone cuffs. Cinder smirked and looked up.
"Well, it seems like Krux doesn't know anything about me. These cuffs are null, as I'm not from this world they won't restrain me. But you're right, we shouldn't let him be suspicious of our advantage." Cinder noted
—
Cinder growled as he carried weapons and armor to the armory. 4 Vermillion soldiers were around him, making sure he didn't do anything. The dragonet just sighed as he thought how the others were doing, and planned to get him, his uncle, Master Wu, Cyrus, Ray, and Maya. After dropping it off he began heading back to the blacksmiths shop he could hear the sounds of fighting going on over by the captured builders. He ignores it and heads to the shop. Hoping for him and the cou9e to escape, but then hears fighting inside the shop.
He ran to the shop and entered to see Kai fighting his dad with a strange weapon, which was a weird twoended dragon head weapon.
"Kai, you don't know what you're doing." Maya shouted
"I do, Nya. I absolutely—" Kai said thinking it was Nya
": I'm not your sister, son." Maya said halting the red ninja
"Huh? Mom? I-I don't believe it." Kai was upset and confused
"That makes two of us. Nya, my baby girl, how you've grown." Maya said with a smile
"I've—I-I missed you." Nya said tearfully and embraced. Cinder warbled with happiness and the two ninja saw him
"Cinder!"
"Hey you two. Am I interrupting a family reunion?" The dragonet said and looked at Kai. "You shouldn't be going off on her and your father."
"Why? She's just as guilty as he is. They've been helping Acronix and Krux for years! They're the enemy!" Kai said angrily which made the dragonet's mouth opened in astonishment
"Is that what you think? We are not the enemy." Maya pleaded
"Then how do you explain this?" Kai holds up the helmet. "Dad's blacksmith stamp on every piece of Vermillion armor."
"They forced us to work for them. Part of their revenge." Maya said
"For what?" Kai inquired puzzled
"For creating the Time Blades. It goes back to when Acronix and Krux were Elemental Masters." Ray explained
"I have an idea. And it requires your skills. Masters of Fire and Water, come." Wu asked
"We forged four Time Blades from Chronosteel to absorb the powers of the Hands of Time. Chronosteel is incredibly strong. We were physically and mentally drained."
"Thank you. My brother and I will deal with Krux and Acronix." Wu thanked them
"The Time Blades stripped Krux and Acronix of their powers. Then Wu and Garmadon created a temporal vortex to lose the Blades forever. When Krux and Acronix foolishly went after the Blades, it appeared they too would be lost to time. Later, we learned that before Acronix disappeared, there was a sign that foretold the exact time of his return. Forty years in the future. Wu saw it." Ray said
"So that must be how Master Wu knew when Acronix was gonna return to the Monastery. He saw the blimp." Kai noted
"And so did Krux." Maya mentioned
"What Wu did not know was that not only did Krux see the blimp, but he wasn't sent forward with his brother. Now he knew he had decades to plan. He assumed a false identity and decided to use eggs from the Great Devourer to create a great legion of warriors. His warriors would need armor, weapons, vehicles. And he knew just who could design them." Ray remarks
"Pretending to be kindly Dr. Sander Saunders, Krux took his time and earned our trust. We thought he was our friend."
"Until Saunders betrayed us. Told us how he had a plan for his brother's eventual return. Forced us to work for him, or else."
"Or else what?" Kai uttered
"Or else he would go after you two. It was his ultimate revenge." Maya said sadly
"Okay, but that still doesn't explain the stamp." Kai said pointing at the symbol on the helmet.
"It was a message. I stamped all my work, hoping one day someone would figure out where we were. So together we could stop Krux and Acronix's plan."
"What is their plan?" Nya questions and her father father sighs
"To control all of time."
—
"You said Krux and Acronix want to control all of time. How?" Nya mentioned after her father finished his tale. The man went over to a table and showed them a blueprint. It showed a mechanical snake-like mech, with a giant clock dial on the chest with a slot for each blade.
"They made me design Iron Doom, a transport to carry the Vermillion throughout time. With all those troops, they would be unstoppable." Ray said
"You built a time machine?" Kai said flabbergasted
"Just the shell. Time machines are a little outside my skill set." Ray said sheepishly
"But Cyrus Borg was forced to design a power source to power the Iron Doom. It draws temporal energy from the Time Blades." Maya said worryingly
"Oh, no! I just realized...that pause we felt earlier? It must have been the third Time Blade!" Nya exclaims
"If Krux and Acronix found it, then there'd be only one left. And if they get that, their time traveling mega armor would be fully operational. Sorry, fully operational is good news?" Kai said grimly but Ray snorted
"Heh. They'll never get it. Master Wu found it shortly after Acronix disappeared. Turns out it has the power to reverse time. Wu knew it was too dangerous to keep. Under his orders, we hid it. Buried deep in a location that only the combined Elemental Powers of Fire and Water can reach." He said confidently but Maya gasped
"And since you inherited our powers… You must leave. Now."
"She's right. If the Hands of Time knew all this, they could—" Ray was cut off
"Force you to retrieve it for us? Excellent suggestion." Krux interjected as he, Acronix, and their Supreme Commander entered the shop. Cinder stood back as he watched the scene.
"No way. We will never do your bidding." The red ninja declares
"You tell 'em, brother!" Nya encourages him
Krux: You will, or your parents will face the very fate from which they tried to protect you.
Ray: Never! We're done serving you, Krux. Bring your worst.
"With pleasure." Krux smirks as he pauses Ray and kicks him. The man flew over to the opposite wall above the dragonet, who touched the energy emitting from Ray. Then it stops and Ray falls to the floor with a thud.
"Dad!" Both ninja exclaimed
"Ray!" Maya exclaimed
"Look who I found." Machia mocked as she brought in Wu.
"Master!" The two ninja and dragon exclaimed
"Wu!" Maya said worriedly as the two other Vermillion argued while Acronx looks at the Fast-Forward Time Blade and smirks
"You know, it occurs to me that the Reversal Blade is the only way to undo the effects of the Time Punch." He says and hits Ray, and then is freed after that.
"I'm-I'm afraid that's true." Ray said weakly
"If you want to save your Master, you will retrieve the fourth Blade. And I'll take that." Krux says and takes Kai's weapon. Kai and Nya looked at him with hatred but with no other options they had to listen to him. Cinder looked at him while the man sneered.
"You listen as well, dragon. You're going with those two after the blade too. Or else your uncle will be spattered."
Cinder growled but grudgingly nodded.
"Ok, let's head off shall we?" Krux said happily and the group of two ninja, two blacksmith, Master, and dragon were led to a blimp. It was like one of those wartime blimps the deagonet saw in a few films he watched. But now he is being forced to do the Time Twins bidding, for his uncle's sake he hopes he will be saved while they're gone. After getting into the blimp it began to rise to the air with the twins holding all three of the blades in their hands, and their Supreme Commander of the army and a bunch of her soldivers surrounded the group. Cinder looked over the railing to see his brother, Zane, Jay, and Lloyd on the floor, who were all looking at the blimp as it flew away, heading towards the final Time Blade.
—
Cinder looked over the side of the blimp as it flew through the skies, but where they're at was humid and hazardous. Looking below was an endless sea that was bubbled and sizzled with giant spikes of rock sticking out of the boiling water. The dragonet looked over at his teammates and their parents, who were talking while the two twins were grinning as they spoked
"Ugh. We can't do this. We can't let Krux and Acronix force us into getting the last Time Blade for them." Kai grumbled
"Its reversal power is the only way to undo the effects of the Time Punch on Master Wu. What other choice do we have?" Nya countered
"Time is short and our friend's survival, your Master's survival is at stake." Ray advises
"Your father's right. Focus on the task at hand. Retrieving the Time Blade will be more dangerous than you can possibly imagine." Maya cautioned
"I don't get it. Why did you put the Time Blade way out here?" Kai questioned
"It was so powerful that Wu knew it had to be hidden somewhere safe. So he asked us to seal it in the ancient Library of Hono Mizu." Ray said
"Hono-what now?" Nya said confused and Cinder warbled in curiosity
"Hono Mizu was once a thriving port town that was consumed by an undersea volcano that buried the city leagues below an impossibly harsh environment. A combination of Fire and Water. The Boiling Sea." Ray explained as Kai looked down on the Boiling Sea. Cinder just sat as the blimp began to slowly stop.
"Eh, gotta give whoever name it the Boiling Sea credit for accuracy." The red ninja said impressed
"Kai, Nya, I am sorry. We never expected anyone ever to return. Least of all our children. But only the Masters of Fire and Water working together can traverse it." Ray said
"Your journey will be fraught with peril, traps, enormous obstacles, and Geotomic Rock Monsters." Maya warmed
"And you will need the Dragon Blade. Allow me." Ray said as he swipes the weapon from Acronix's crutch.
"What. What are you doing?" Acronix questioned in surprise
"I knew it! This is a ninja trick." Machia exclaimed in fury
"It is the key to successfully getting you the Reversal Blade." Ray remarked
"It's one weapon. We still have three Time Blades." Krux pointed out and Acronix sighed begrudgingly
"I suppose escape is impossible, although I'd love for them to try." He said smirking
"Machia, release the sword." Krux ordered and she handed it to the blacksmith. Ray turned to his 2 children.
"Now you must use it to create the Fusion Dragon."
"The what?" Kai said puzzled
"Only a Fusion Dragon can plunge the depths of the Boiling Sea and only the Dragon Blade can create one." Ray advised
"You will make the impossible possible, and unify the Elemental powers of Fire and Water." Maya said and the two ninja nodded uncertainty at this but listened to their father. Ray threw the blade up into the air and both siblings shot their elements at it. As they hit the blade simultaneously a giant ball of energy imploded outwards and formed a shape into a dragon. The dragon was two-headed, one red and the other blue with black accents on it. Its body mixed and swirled with Fire and Water but split off on opposite sides of the heads on the twin tails. The wings faired a similar pattern as the heads as it held the body up in the air. Kai, Nya, and Cinder looked at the dragon in amazement. Maya looked at them
"The Fusion Dragon."
"Now, when you reach the first obstacle, you must—" Ray said, but Kai cut him off
"No time. Wu's wasting away. We'll just figure it out as we go." He said and hopped onto the dragon.
"He can be a little hot-headed." Nya said and hops onto the dragon as well. Cinder looked at them, then at the twins who Krux crossed his arms in impatience and sighed. The dragonet jumped up and sat behind the two siblings.
"He gets that from his father. Remember, work together!" Maya advised before the trio dove underwater and resurfaced. Kai and Nya screamed as the water hit them and held their breath. Cinder felt the water hit him but it felt soothing on his scales as they flew through the water. After a few seconds of being underwater they came up to the surface inside an underwater cavern. Cinder hopped off as the two dispersed the dragon.
"Phew. I didn't know how much longer I could hold my breath. I can't see a thing." Nya said panting
"The Master of Fire is on it. Nice, huh?" Kai laughed as he created a fireball as a torch. "Sometimes I don't know what we'd do without me." He said but then almost fell down a . "Who knew you could be this high up under the sea. That little dot down there must be the Lost Library of Hono Mizu. Any idea how to reach it without breaking our necks?l"
"Well, we could ask our dad. Oh no, wait, you were too impatient for that. Hang on. I have an idea. We slide down this." Nya said smirking at her brother
"What? We'd be torn to shreds." Kai exclaimed and the water ninja grinned
"Which is where my power comes in." She said as she created a water slide. "Sometimes I don't know what you'd do without me."
The two slid down while Cinder freefalls after them.
—
Meanwhile the other ninja wore Vermillion armor and sneaked in the dome. After the blimp left with their teammates they had to retreat from the army of snakes. After faking their disappearance they were going to regroup at the Temple of Aitjitxu. But Zane got a pinpoint of Cyrus Borg's location and went to him, but went in disguise to blend in to not get spotted. Cole sighed
"Well, that was easy."
"Yeah, too easy. Ow!" Jay said but then gets hit
"Unto the breach! Freedom!" Cyrus yelled as he hit the disguised blue ninja.
"Stop! He's not a Vermillion." Zane said with his hands up in surrender.
"I know a snake when I see one." Cyrys said angrily but Lloyd removed his helmet. Cyrus' eyes widened. " Ninja? You've come to rescue me!"
"Ugh, a decision I'm starting to regret." Jay groaned and got up from the floor.
"Now come on. Let's get you out of here before we're discovered." Lloyd said
"Hey, Borg, why exactly did Krux and Acronix kidnap you anyway?" Jay inquired and Co.e scoffed.
"Duh. Pay attention, Jay. We know why. They grabbed every builder in Ninjago to outfit their army."
"No, not me. I was forced to create something far more sinister." The inventor shows them the Iron Doom.
"Oh, heh, it's a...What is that thing?" Jay said confused and nervous
"I've heard them call it the Iron Doom. Krux and Acronix's ultimate weapon." Cyrus stated
"And you designed it?" Zane inquired and Cyrus shook his head
"No, a blacksmith did. I'm afraid that I am responsible for that." He points to the device within the skeletal structure of the Iron Doom. "It's a—"
"A nano-fused, neo-atomic power source, which, according to my calculations, creates an energy displacement sufficient to allow for—Oh, oh, dear, temporal voyage." Zane analyses and shook his head
"Temporal voyage?" Co.e questions and Jay laughs
"Time travel! Temporal means Time. Duh! Pay attention, Cole." The blue ninja shot back
"It harnesses the power of the Time Blades. If Krux and Acronix get all four, they will be able to take all these Vermillion warriors anywhere in time." Cyrus said
"Hey!"
Everyone stopped and looked around quickly. Then Zane noticed a lantern that was glowing and moving as well. The Nindroid walked over to see a familiar dragonfly, who struggled to get free from his "cell". Zane opens the lid and Sparx flew out, panting.
"Uh.. than.. thanks Zane. Be… been in th.. that thing for ho… hours."
"Of course, what happened when you came here?" The Nindroid questions and Sparx shrugs his shoulders.
"I don't know. Was brought here while they took Cinder to that building over there." The dragonfly pointed to the blacksmith's shop. "Speaking of my nephew, where is he?"
"Saw him with Kai and Nya, but they are with Krux and Acronix right now." Cole said
"By my guess they're going for the last Time Blade." Lloyd remarks and Cyrus face turned grim.
"Then we need to deactivate the apparatus before they return."
"Well, let's get moving then before we get—"
"NINJA!"
The four ninja turned to see a Vermillion soldier at the entrance. Causing others to come immediately. Jay faceplans.
"Great! Guess our cover got blown. Time to fight some snakes."
"Agreed! Zane! You take Borg up to the apparatus so he can deactivate. Cole, Jay, let's hold them off as best we can till Zane and Borg can shut that device down!" Lloyd ordered and they all went on their orders as they went into action. Sparx watched as the battle commenced.
"I hope the kiddo is ok."
—-
(Kai and Nya reached the bottom.)
"As deadly obstacles go, that was pretty fun. I'm starting to think Mom overstated the danger." Nya said after they landed on the ground, Cinder glided in and landed on the ground.
"Heh. You know how moms can get." Kai said not realizing as Nya turned to look at with a sad look
"No, I never knew one, because…"
"Because ours got kidnapped when you were only three. Right. Sorry. My point was, moms like to worry about everything, but this is nothing." Kai said and pointed to the library. "All that's left is a climb over some boulders and...hang on. Those aren't boulders. Those are...what did Mom call them?"
Geotomic Rock Monsters!" Nya exclaims
"She understated the danger!" Kai exclaims regretting hearing his mom's warning. The trio ran away as the Rock Monsters chased them. Kai told his sister and the dragonet to run while he handled them, but was fruitless as the creatures were fireproof as well as waterproof when Nya used her powers. But then they figured out how to defeat them after Kai saved his sister from one of the monsters , who used her powers the same time as Kai used his. Cinder helped them with using his earth flail to knock them towards the two siblings. After defeating them the trio went up to the door of the library.
"Amazing. Gotta be Dad's handiwork." Kai said in awe
"I don't see a handle. How do we open something this big?" Nya questioned and Kai grinned
"By working together. Fire!"
"Water!"
"Working together. Haha." Kai laughed and slammed into the door, which didn't budge. "Huh? Ugh. No. Ugh! We came so far. Ugh! We used our Fire and Water power together. We did everything right. Why would Dad build a door that doesn't open?" He said frustrated but Nya gasped as she looked at the symbol and the Dragon Blade on her brother's back.
"The Dragon Blade! Our parents said it's the key to our success and the key to retrieving the Time Blade. For once, take two seconds to think a problem through. I think it's the literal key."
"Dad's blacksmith stamp." Kai realized what his sister was saying and she put the blade into the stamp. Cinder stood back and watched.
"Both of us." Nya said and both siblings grabbed it. Both ends of the blade glowed each color of their elemental power. Then they turn the blade and a lock unclick and the door opens up to the trio. Cinder whistled
"Good job you two. Whoa… look!" The dragonet said and pointed
"The Reversal Blade. We did it." Kai gasped as the trio entered the room. H the middle on a raised pedestal was the Reversal Time Blade. Cinder stood back and watched as the two siblings walked up to it.
"Okay, but be careful. There may be one final—" Nya cautioned but Kai takes the Blade off its pedestal and the building starts to collapse. "trap. You think maybe we were supposed to do that together? Like everything else?"
"We gotta bolt. Or do you want to stay and think the problem through?" Kai shouted as he dodged falling rocks.
"The Fusion Dragon." Nya exclaims as she grabs the blade from the door and the two run off, Cinder following behind them. The dragonet quickly took flight as the two siblings summoned the Fusion Dragon. Then the trio went back through the water, but then Cinder grabs the Time Blade as Kai loses grip on it when going through the water. Cinder felt the energy of the blade going through him once touching it. Soon they reached the surface and flew up into the sky and headed to the battle blimp. Cinder held the blade up in his paws to show their success then he and the two siblings land on the deck. Cinder handed the blade to Kai
"Master Wu. Are we too late?" Kai inquired worried
"Kai? Nya?" Wu said wearily as he opened his eyes
"Yes. And we're gonna save you." Kai said relieved
"Actually, you're not."
"What? You promised if we retrieved the Time Blade we could help him." Kai said to Acronix.
"Yeah. About that, we lied." Acronix sniggered
"Did you really think we would allow Wu to remain? After all the trouble he's caused us over the years?" Krux said sneering
"You monsters!" Kai yell in rage
"The Blade is mine, boy." Krux sneered
"Yeah? Well, here it comes. Ninja, go!" Kai said and did Spinjitzu
"Spinjitzu? A fool's art!" Krux scoffed and tripped him
"Reversal." Kai yells and reverses time. Cinder watched as time reversed in front of him.
"Spinjitzu? A fool's art!" Krux scoffed
"Not this time." Kai replied and dodged
"Slow down, kid." Krux growled but instead of hitting Kai he accidentally slowed down Machia.
"Oh, no!" Machia said slowly
"I'm coming, Master." Kai shouted as he ran to him. But then Ray pushes him # Acronix hits him with the Time Punch instead of Kai. The red ninja is astonished. "Dad? Father!"
"I'm-I'm all right. He just caught me off guard." Ray said shakily and the red ninja growled
"Get them!" He yelled but before they could Acronix paused them with the Pause Blade. Krux chuckled
"Excellent work, brother."
"Four completes the set. So now it's time to return to the swamp." Acronix said smugly
"What about them?" Krux questions but then gets hit by a flail of energy. Acronix turned to see Cinder standing,on the other side of the deck. The man growled.
"You! I don't know how you keep evading our attacks. But this will be your last stand."
"Hmph, if this is my last stand. Then I'll do it for my family, no one can stop a Purple Dragon." Cinder hissed and continued throwing earth flails and electric orbs. The twins dodged the attacks but Cinder kept the attacks up until Acronix shot him with the Pause Time Blade and the dragonet just watched as they then moved the blimp away, putting him and his teammates in the air. After the twins left the effects of the Pause Blade wore off and Kai, Nya, and their parents fell, but the siblings summoned the Fusion Dragon and caught their parents. Then they grabbed Cinder and Maya held him as he stayed paused.
"Gotcha. It's not too late to save Master Wu. But we still need the Reversal Blade." Kai said grimly and the group went after the blimp.
—
"They're too far. The Dragon can't get enough speed." Kai said desperate as they returned to the swamp. Unfortunately the twins ultimate weapon was assembled and the Time Blades attached to the device in the chest of the machine. Cinder watched as the other ninja ran out of the dome of the weapon's resting spot. He was moving again after the effects of the Pause Time Blade wear off.
"Good luck, kids." Maya said as she grab Ray
"Mom. What are you doing?" Nya questioned
"Giving you both the speed you need." Maya said but before she did what she was going to do Cinder grabbed her and Ray and jumped off. Cinder glided towards the ground as he heard the Time Twins shouted
Kai: Okay, our mom? Totally awesome.
Nya: I just hope we see her again.
"Control Time…"
" ...control everything."
Then a temporal vortex opens up in the sky and the twins' weapon shoots up and into it, with the Fusion Dragon following. After the dragon went through the vortex vanished and the dragonet landed on the ground and let go to the two blacksmiths and look up.
"Children." Maya said softly
"Nya." Jay utter
"Kai. Where did they go?!" Cole questions
"More like when did they go?" Lloyd said
"Kai! Nya! Come back! Kai! Nya! Why'd they risk their lives to go after Krux and Acronix?" Jay sobbed
"It was the only way to save Wu." Ray said
"Oh, okay. I'm good with it. Hey, wait a sec. Who are you? And how do you know that?" Jay inquired
"I'm Maya. And this is Ray. We are—" Maya replied but Lloyd cut in
"Kai and Nya's parents. We saw your portrait at the museum."
"Krux and Acronix traveled back in time with the Reversal Blade so our children had to follow." Ray said
"Why?" The blue ninja asked and Maya responded
"Only that blade can undo the effect of the Time Punch on Master Wu. They are his last hope."
"Master Wu is with them?" Lloyd said flabbergasted
"We have to go help. We just need a time machine." Cole said and turned to Cyrus Borg. "You can build another one, right?"
"I can't." Cyrus said sadly
"Oh. I get it. "I can't" is business speak for "It'll cost you big". Okay, businessman, I hear you. Hm, I've got a tenner." Jay said irritated
"No Time Blades, no time travel. I'm afraid there is nothing to do but wait and hope Kai and Nya return." Maya stated and Jay turned to the Samurai.
"Okay, then, Samurai 2.0. While we're stuck waiting, why don't you tell us who's really under there?"
"No." The Samurai replied
"Uh, would a tenner change your mind?"
"No."
"What about a piece of candy?
"No."
"What about two pieces of candy?"
"No." Samurai X said firmly and the blue ninja groaned in frustration. Maya looked at the others while Cinder lay down on the ground and hummed
"What you said is true. Kai and Nya truly are Master Wu's last hope."
"Not just his. All of Ninjag—" Ray coughed
"Ray. What is it?" Maya said worried
"On the ship, when Acronix hit me, he was holding a Time Blade and something happened." Ray said as Zane scans him
"Accelerated physical deterioration, rapid loss of life function. You've been hit with a Time Punch, too." Zane confirmed
"And there's no cure." Lloyd sighed
"Wait. You said the Reversal Blade can undo it on Master Wu. Would that work for you, too?" Cole inquired
"Only if our children retrieve it and return in time." Ray wheezed but Zane noticed something was in his scan from the corner of his eye and turned his head. Cinder just sat watching the situation with a worried look on the blacksmith as Zane scanned him and eyes widened in realization.
"On the contrary there is a way to reverse its effects without the blade."
"Oh? And what is it?" Jay questioned and the Nindroid pointed to Cinder, who looked confused.
"What?"
"Cinder, I can sense the temporal energy flowing throughout your body. Did you, by chance, touch the Reversal Blade?"
Cinder looked at him and nodded, explaining he had to go with Kai and Nya into the Boiling Sea and catch it when Kai lost grip when escaping the sea. Zane analyzed that the dragonet could cure the blacksmith from the Time Punch. But before the dragonet could do anything the surrounding area changed, in the distance Ninjago City also changed. It looked more like it was 40 years ago than its modern appeal.
"Guys, something's really wrong. The city is, um, different." Jay said worried
"Yeah. It looks old. Like, Ninjago forty years ago." Cole
"Huh? My BorgWatch has disappeared." Cyrus splutter in disbelief
"What is going on?" Jay said scared
"My worst fear has come true. The past has been changed. Your watch doesn't exist because your technology no longer happened. No computers. No telephones. No—" Ray said
"—Zane." Lloyd said, cutting in with fear and the team saw him lying on the ground in his original form. Cole also noticed something too: his brother and Sparx weren't here either. He looked around frantically.
"Guys, Cinder's gone too! As well as Sparx!"
"Oh no, not Cinder!? We needed him to cure the Time Punch! Oh… I hope Kai and Nya can stop those two twins." Jay said worriedly
—
"Hello little one."
Cinder slowly opened his eyes when heard the voice. As he woke he slowly realized he wasn't in Ninjago as he was in a cozy home, the size of it telling him it wasn't a human home, more like a bigger creature's home. He saw a window and outside was a sandy beach with the sea in front of it. He warbled in confusion as this but remember what's going on: the past has changed so meaning he wasn't sent to Ninjago.
"Hehehehe, you seem confused little one."
Cinder slowly turned around to see the owner of the voice. Standing before him was an adult dragoness, her scales a dark purple with a magenta red underbelly. Her 6 horns are arranged like the dragonet's but curved back and upwards and silver, same as her claws and scythe-tail blade. On her body were markings like the dragonet's but were silver instead of gold. But the one thing he recognized was her eyes, the same green as his as they glowed lightly with mirth.
"I, I am confused. I feel so misplaced right now."
The dragoness chuckled
"Understandable, Time does that to anyone, but for Purple Dragons they don't feel a thing, like me and your father, but at your age you'll feel it."
Cinder's eyes widened in astonishment
"So you know tha—"
"—that you aren't supposed to be here? Yes little one, I know what's going on. But I'm not wasting the opportunity to meet my little one finally." She said lovably
Cinder's eyes started to water and with a squeak of happiness he hugged his biological mom and began crying. She held him in her arms and hummed to him in happiness as well. After a few minutes of hugging the two let go and she looked down at Cinder and smiled, when saw her jewelry.
"Well, it seems you found my jewelry. Hope you are taking care of them."
"Yes momma I did."
"That's good."
"Cynder! I'm back."
Cynder looked at her child and turned to the door.
"In here, Spyro, I want to show you something."
Cinder watched as an adult male dragon walked into the room. Compared to his mom this dragon's scales are a vibrant purple with a yellow-orange underbelly, his horns were shaped like a lightning bolt with a yellow -orange leaf-like tail tip. His wings and claws are the same color as his underbelly while his eyes, which were looking at the dragonet in curiosity, are a light purple to differentiate the vibrant purple. He looked at the dragoness.
"Who is this, Cynder my love?"
"I believe you know by his looks love." Cynder said smiling and Spyro looked at him and recognition hit him.
"By the Ancestors… our little one. It's been so long and you're grown so much. But how are you here? We sent you away because of the war"
Cinder warbled sheepishly and explained about the timeline being messed with and he was brought here as if he wasn't sent from here. His parents nodded at the spoked and once he finished explaining his dad spoke.
"You little one had gone through so much at such an age. But grateful you didn't have to suffer like me and your mom did at your age."
"Yeah, I read the note and Uncle Sparx told me some of the stories."
Cynder chuckled
"Oh that dragonfly. I do miss him, even the bantering we had during our time together was enjoyable to do during the war."
"Agreed, my brother wasn't brave but was bold to do some of the things during the war."
Cinder sniggered at that but before he could speak he felt himself fading. His parents noticed this.
"Well, it seems the timeline was fixed."
"Yes, so it seems." Spyro sighed sadly and Cynder looked at him with a loving smile.
"At least we got to see our little one love. Seems he's following in our footsteps." She chuckled
"Well, I guess it's goodbye for now." Cinder said and the dragoness smiled
"For now, in the future we'll see each other together. Till then I'm happy to finally meet you my little…" Cynder trailed off as she forgot to asked her child's name
"Cinder, like cinder of fire. Almost sounds like yours momma." The dragonet laughed and Cynder rolled her eyes.
"Alright." She said and then Spyro remembered something and quickly left the room and returned a few seconds later. In his hands was a set of silver armor: a helmet, bracers, chest plate, and tail bracer. The adult Purple Dragon then gives the armor to Cinder who looks surprised by the gift.
"I wanted to give you this, as you have your mothers jewelry. It would be fitting if you have this. This was the armor I wore in the war against Malefor, and I believe you shall have this to the duty you've been given." Spyro replied and Cinder looked at him
"Are you sure?"
"I am, little one. You're my son and this is something from me to you. Now… I believe Sparx is worrying about you." Spyro smirked at his foster brother's who was probably panicking. Cinder laughed so hard that he began to wheeze. After calming down he hugged both of them one last time, grabbed the armor, and stood still as he fully faded away.
"Stay safe little one, and may the Ancestors protect you on your destiny."
—-
"Guys, you won't believe it." Jay uttered as he looked at Ninjago City. The city had suddenly gone back to normal from the ancient look it had. Cole smiled
"Ninjago is back to normal."
"My technology has returned!" Cyrus exclaimed happily as Zane turned back to normal and gasped, and stood up.
"I believe something just overloaded my sensors. Did anyone else feel a temporal disturbance?"
"Haha! Kai and Nya did it!" Jay exclaims happily and hugs Samurai X. "Wanna celebrate by telling me who you really are?" The blue ninja inquired
"No."
"Awwwww… come on!" Jay groaned in frustration
"Everything is fixed. Yeah!" Cole exclaimed happily
"Fate of Ninjago. Ugh." Ray coughed
"Not everything." Maya said as she looked at her husband, then a groan omitted from the bushes as Cinder walked out. Cole shouts in happiness and relief of his brother back, but then notices the armor on him but doesn't question it as the dragonet comes over to the rapidly aging blacksmith. He then focused, concentrating on the temporal energy flowing through him, and before he could unleash it there was a crackle as another time vortex opened up. Looking up from his concentration Cinder watched as Kai and Nya fell out and landed onto the ground. The others looked at them in astonishment.
"Kai?" Lloyd questioned
"Nya?" Jay asked as the two siblings got up and turned to their parents.
"Mom?"
"Dad?"
"Can't hold on." Ray said faintly
"I'm afraid he is close to his end. There's nothing to be done." Maya said scared
"Yes there is." Kai says and brings out the Reversal Time Blade, then uses it on his dad. His wrinkles on his face fade away and his skin brightens up as the effects of the Time Punch dispersed. Ray gets up and hugs his children
"My children."
"Dad."
"Oh, you guys. Let me get in on this." Jay said, a few tears beginning to fall as he join the hug.
"Wait. What happened to Master Wu?" Cole inquired
"Oh, no. He's still on the Iron Doom. He stayed aboard to deal with Krux and Acronix." Kai said in shock
"And now he's gone." Nya sighed
"So we don't have a Master anymore?" Cole said but Jay smiled
"Yes, we do! You, Lloyd. It has to be you."
"But—" Lloyd was cut off from saying more as Kai give the green ninja the Time Blade
"Master Lloyd."
""Master... Lloyd"." Lloyd said before smiling and stood before his team. "Everyone, listen up! First, we get rid of this. It's too powerful. Then, it'll take all our energy and we will not rest until we know where... is... Wu."
—-
A/N
Annnnnnnnnnnd finally Season 7 is done! Hope y'all like how the season went in here. Also I hope you all like the ending hehe...
Now, going to announce that I'll be putting this on hold to start up another book with a friend. Don't know when Chapter 1 of it would be out, but won't take long to write.
Also, with the ending on this chapter I got to change some bits on the next chapter. It's finished but with how I did with the endin, I got to change some stuff with them.
Hope you all have a great day!
Chapter 27 Spell checked and edited