"Just so you know, I'm not going back there anytime soon," Kai grumbled as he set a bag of weaponry on the table in front of everyone.
"I don't see why we would need to," Jay echoed.
"Were Mom and Dad that bad?" Nya asked, looking between the boys.
"Bad's an understatement," Lloyd mumbled. "Let's just say you don't want to meet them."
Nya shook her head before turning to the selection of weapons before them.
"Well, these get split between us," Lloyd commented. "Both Senseis would rather use their staffs, which adds up."
"So, a set of katanas each, then?" Jay asked.
"That's the plan," Kai replied. "Anything else can be split between us."
The four split the remaining weaponry between them, ensuring they were all armed and ready to battle. Aside from their katanas, Nya hid a dagger in her boot and grabbed a few throwing stars, Jay had a small knife and managed to find a pair of nun-chucks in the monastery, Lloyd took a few throwing stars and tucked 2 sais in his belt, and Kai armed himself with a bit of everything.
"Are you kids ready?" All four turned to see Garmadon standing in the doorway, waiting. "The carriage has just arrived. You probably want to hear this."
The teens exchanged looks before following Garmadon. They stepped into the courtyard to see Wu talking with someone from Shintaro. Four guards stood behind him next to the carriage, looking around. The wings behind them floated like golden ribbons, the magic around them allowing the guards to float slightly off the ground.
"What's going on?" Lloyd asked, approaching Wu and the guard.
"Captain Hailmar," the guard extended his hand. "I was sent to retrieve you and your friends. The King says it's urgent as the situation is rapidly developing."
"Is Cole alright?" Kai interrupted.
"I unfortunately don't know," Hailmar sighed. "King Vangelis is being rather vague about the situation, yet he does say it's urgent."
"So we must move quickly," Garmadon spoke up. "Cole's life is at stake here."
"Right, let's go," Lloyd called.
The ninja and senseis quickly climbed into the carriage, accompanied by Hailmar. The other four guards grabbed the carriage, lifted it and set off for Shintaro.
The ninja stared out the window, watching the Ivory City pass below them as they approached the palace. The group was tense. Not a word was spoken as they arrived.
The senseis stepped out, quickly followed by the ninja as they stood before the palace gates.
"Looks the same as last time," Lloyd mumbled.
"Yeah," Nya sighed. "Too bad it's not."
Suddenly, the gates came to life, slowly swinging in. Hailmar led the group inside as the gates closed behind them again.
Vangelis stood outside the palace, waiting for them. Vania was at his side, fidgeting as she shifted her weight.
"Welcome," Vangelis said. "Sorry, it's not on better circumstances."
"Thank you for reaching out to us," Sensei Wu nodded.
"Thank you for being punctual with your arrival," Vangelis replied. "Of course, you know what's happening."
"Actually, not really," Lloyd replied.
"Well, come on inside, and we can discuss," Vangelis said.
The doors behind them opened as the group stepped inside. Vangelis led them down the hall and into a large conference room. A large table occupied most of the space, with chairs lining the sides. Vangelis quickly sat at the head of the table, and Vania sat to his left. The Senseis sat beside Vania while the ninja took the spots across them.
"You guys are Cole's friends?" Vania asked, looking at the ninja.
"Friends, teammates," Lloyd shrugged.
"Have you seen him?" Jay asked. "Is he ok?"
Vangelis answered, "We know his last whereabouts, but not much about his condition at the-"
"I saw him last night," Vania blurted out.
Everyone turned to her as she sank away.
"I can tell your father isn't impressed by your outburst," Garmadon advised, "but if you know something, it would be good to say it."
Vania glanced at her father, receiving a nod. Then she spoke. "Cole showed up when we were out. When we got back, Lilly said he had to train. He didn't come back. I started getting worried at dinnertime, so I went to find him."
"Is he alright?" Kai asked.
"Kinda?" Vania mumbled.
Everyone waited for her to continue.
"Care to explain, hon?" Vangelis spoke.
"He was in a cell somewhere in the mines," Vania mumbled. "He was injured, not seriously though. He still needs help. He can't get out on his own."
"Do you know how to reach him?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes-" she started.
"Not a chance," Vangelis interjected. "I will not be sending her, nor any of my men down there. Lilly has lost her mind and very well could kill anyone who tries to stop her."
"The more reason to aid us," Lloyd turned to him.
"Not happening," Vangelis restated. "I know Lilly, and I assume your sensei here do too." Both elders nodded, confirming. "She is deadly and not afraid to prove it. I will not send my guards to their death so forget my daughter helping."
"But dad," Vania stood, ready to argue.
"Not happening," Vangelis affirmed.
"I know the mines," Vania countered. "I can help."
"You could also die, and I won't have my only heir putting her life on the line," Vangelis snapped.
"But dad!"
"No, enough! You are not changing my mind. Now, go to your room." Vangelis ordered. "I will come deal with you after."
"Dad-"
"Now, Vania."
Vania scanned the others' faces, hoping someone would stand up for her. But nothing. No one would even meet her gaze. They were on his side. Thought she needed to be protected. She dropped her gaze, quietly shuffling out of the room.
Once the door closed, Vangelis spoke again. "I apologize, she is often like this."
"She just wants to help," Lloyd sighed. "It's nice to see she cares about him, even though he's not the Cole she knows."
"I'm aware of the whole swap," Vangelis sighed, leaning on the table. He pinched the bridge of his nose, not looking up. "It's all still confusing to me, but regardless, I have my own family and heritage to watch out for. While Cole isn't my son, he still is second in line to the throne as Vania's step-brother."
"He's in line for the throne?" Jay gasped.
"Yes, is that a surprise?" Vangelis questioned.
"Just different from our world, is all," Nya replied, shooting her boyfriend a look. "Continue, please.
"I presume when you switch back, Cole will be in the same place as yours is now," Vangelis continued. "I just want him out of there before you all switch back so Cole is safe and sound."
"So, we can all agree on that," Wu said.
"We understand you don't want to put your men's lives at risk," Garmadon added. If you could create a map of the mines, it would help us rescue him."
"The mines are everchanging, unfortunately," he sighed. "I could make a map of it last time, but it's unlikely that it's anything like that now."
"Anything would help," Garmadon stressed. "Even if you had Vania create a map."
"Not happening," Vangelis frowned. "Vania will not have any part in this. If she helps with one thing, she'll want to help with everything."
"Alright," Wu sighed, knowing Vangelis wouldn't help much.
"There is an entrance into the mines in the gardens," Vangelis said. "You'll be able to access them through there. If you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask."
The royal quickly stood, taking his leave. The others sat silently until the door closed, and they were alone.
"So, can we all agree he's still evil?" Lloyd asked, ignoring the glare from his father and uncle.
"I don't know," Nya hummed, "he could just be overprotective."
"It's hard to say," Kai agreed.
"Regardless, this is only going to make it more challenging for us to navigate down there," Wu commented. "And without knowing the layout, we will be disadvantaged even more."
"So, what do we do?" Jay asked. "Waltz in there blind and ask Lily to hand Cole over?"
"Definitely not," Garmadon frowned, missing the sarcasm in Jay's question.
"We still have to devise a plan," Lloyd urged. "Even if it's an idea of how we go about this."
"There isn't really much to plan for without an idea of what we are dealing with," Wu sighed. "We could plan for every option and still be caught off guard."
"Too bad Vangelis won't offer us anything," Kai grumbled.
A soft creak echoed as the door pushed open. Vania's head peeked through, scanning the room.
"Vania?" Lloyd questioned.
"Is my dad still here?" she whispered.
"No," Garmadon frowned, "but neither should you."
"I know, I know," Vania slipped inside, silently closing the door behind her. "He's worried I'll get to invested and get hurt, but Cole needs help."
"We got that already," Lloyd interjected. "We are kinda stuck on how to do that."
"I want more than anything to take you down there and show you where he is," she paused, "or, at least where he was. But my father would never let me."
"We know all this already," Kai groaned. "Just get to the point."
Vania pulled a piece of parchment that was hidden in her sleeve. She quickly unrolled it on the table between Lloyd and Kai.
"When he kicked me out, I went into his office next door and scribbled down everything I could remember," Vania explained. She pointed to a spot on the map that had a blue star, "Cole was around here when I saw him. Unless Lilly moved him, he should still be there."
"What's the red area here?" Jay asked, pointing.
"The mine," Vania replied. "She's got all sorts of henchmen in there normally, working away for her business. I'd avoid it if possible, otherwise who knows what will happen."
"Thank you for this, dear," Wu smiled.
"You best leave though," Garmadon added. "Your father may come looking for you."
Vania nodded, turning to leave. She paused at the door, "I know he's not the Cole I know, but make sure he's ok, will you? I still care about him."
"We will, don't worry," Nya smiled.
Vania nodded, silently slipping back out the door.
All attention was quickly back on the map, studying every inch for an idea.
"Vangelis said we can enter through the Palace Gardens," Lloyd said, pointing to the aforementioned entry, "but wouldn't Lilly see that coming."
"Most definitely," Wu sighed.
"So there are two other ways in according to this," Kai said, pointing "here; and here."
"This one is out of the question since all it's paths lead straight into the mine," Nya pointed out.
"So, we can either go in through the garden, or through this entrance," Lloyd summed up.
"What if we use both?" Jay asked.
"And just how do you suggest we do that?" Garmadon frowned.
"In two groups?"
"Jay might be onto something," Lloyd hummed. "Lilly knows someone is coming, but not who."
"Aside from Wu and Garmadon, she won't know how many other people there will be," Kai's eyes lit up. "That's brillant."
"I'm still lost," Garmadon frowned.
"Let me explain," Lloyd turned. "If you and Wu go in here with one of us, then you can draw Lilly's attention away while the rest of us sneak in, grab Cole and get out before she knows."
"You really think that would work?" Wu asked. "Lilly could still see us coming."
"In reality, she could see any plan we have coming," Kai countered.
"Kai's right," Lloyd agreed. "I know you guys know Lilly better than any of us, but we have also snuck in and out of places more time than I can count. We got this."
"So if us four sneak in while the Senseis create a distraction, it could buy us enough time to get in and out with Cole," Jay grinned. "Plus, if anyone can get back out of there, it's the Senseis. Right?"
"He has a point," Garmadon looked at his brother.
"I still don't think this will work as well as you think," Wu frowned. "But if it's what we've got, we can give it a try."
"So, one question," Nya hummed. "What do we do when we have Cole and are back here? Won't Lilly come after us?"
"There is a chance she will," Wu nodded.
Garmadon jumped in, "At the same time, Cole is viewed as royalty here. If his life is at risk and people know it, Vangelis will be forced to step in."
The ninja nodded.
"Alright, so we have a plan," Lloyd sighed. "Now, we wait until it's time to strike."