The day after their initial training, Jay called everyone back to the lab, grinning as if he'd just cracked the code to eternal energy. The excitement in his voice was palpable as he gathered them around, pulling up several holographic screens filled with blueprints and sketches.

"Okay, so I've been thinking," he began, rubbing his hands together like a mad scientist unveiling his latest invention. "If we're going to do this superhero thing, we can't just run around in street clothes. We need costumes. Proper suits that enhance our strengths and, of course, make us look awesome."

They exchanged glances. Some of them were already on board—especially Kai, whose eyes gleamed at the thought of getting a cool outfit. But Nya, as usual, was more skeptical.

"Costumes?" she asked, folding her arms. "We've barely figured out our powers, and now we're talking about dressing up like comic book characters?"

Jay, completely undeterred, pressed a button, and the screens shifted to reveal designs he'd clearly been working on for hours, if not all night. Each design was tailored to their abilities, featuring sleek, flexible materials, reinforced armor in key areas, and integrated tech. But what stood out most was that each suit prominently displayed the Ninjago symbol representing their names.

"Look, it's not just about style," Jay explained, pointing at the screens. "These suits will be custom-built to withstand our powers and enhance our combat abilities. Plus, they'll keep us safe. And yeah, they're gonna look badass."

Lloyd studied the designs, and he had to admit—they were impressive. Jay had thought of everything. His suit, for instance, had reinforced gauntlets to help him control the force of his punches, along with a streamlined design that allowed for quick movement. Everyone else had similarly thoughtful touches to their suits. It wasn't just a gimmick—it was functional. And, as Jay had said, they'd look pretty damn cool.

Then Jay threw in another twist.

"Oh, and one more thing," he said with a mischievous grin. "You're gonna need weapons."

That caught everyone off guard. The room fell silent as they processed what he'd just said.

"Weapons?" Lloyd repeated, exchanging looks with Kai and Nya. "Why would we need weapons? We've already got powers."

Jay shrugged, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Just in case things get really ugly. I mean, sure, we've got powers, but having something to fall back on? Can't hurt. Besides, a weapon could complement your abilities. Think about it."

Kai perked up at the mention of weapons, and Lloyd could see the gears turning in his head. Kai was all about practicality, and the idea of wielding something as an extension of his fire powers made sense to him.

"Okay," Kai said, nodding to himself. "I'll take dual katanas. That way, I can channel my flames through them. Sounds badass."

Zane, ever the precise strategist, nodded in agreement. "Throwing stars for me," he said calmly. "I can freeze them mid-air or enhance them with my ice. It would be efficient."

Nya thought for a moment before deciding. "A trident," she said, her tone decisive. "If I'm controlling water, I might as well have a weapon that fits the element."

Cole grinned, clearly enjoying the idea now. "I'll take a scythe," he said. "Earth powers and a scythe? That's a good combo. I could rip through rock or whatever's in my way."

Harumi took a bit longer to decide, but then her eyes lit up with an idea. "Throwing knives," she said. "Small, light, and I can move them with my telekinesis. Perfect."

Then they all turned to Lyra, waiting for her choice. She shook her head. "I don't need a weapon," she said simply. "My power is enough. Besides, I don't really like the idea of carrying one."

Jay nodded, respecting her decision. "Fair enough."

Then it was Lloyd's turn. He thought about it carefully. A weapon would have to complement his energy and power—something strong, but also versatile.

"A golden Chinese saber," he finally said, the image of the weapon forming in his mind. "Something I can channel my energy through if needed."

Jay grinned, clearly excited by all the ideas. "Perfect. Now, I'll get started on the designs. Oh, and by the way, your names will be engraved on them, too. So when you're out there, people will know who saved them."

They all took a moment to absorb it. The reality of what they were doing was starting to feel more real with every step they took. They weren't just playing around anymore. This was the beginning of something bigger—something that could change everything.

"Alright," Jay said, his grin widening as he turned back to his screens. "Let's get to work."

Over the next few days, training became their life. The school was still shut down because of the explosion, and most of the students who were on that field trip were either shaken or busy being questioned by authorities. Luckily for them, that meant they had plenty of time to train without needing excuses. And honestly, with all of them now discovering these new powers, training wasn't just a necessity—it was thrilling.

They practiced in a wide-open field away from town. Jay had insisted on it after a couple of early sessions had ended with some of their gear—or worse, parts of his lab—getting destroyed. They needed space, somewhere they could go all out without holding back. The field was perfect. No walls to shatter, no ceilings to hit. Just endless sky and a wide expanse of grass for them to really test their limits.

Kai and Lloyd were often the first ones to start sparring. Their matches had quickly become a highlight for everyone—energetic, explosive, and usually ending with both of them drenched in sweat and covered in dirt. The suits Jay had designed for them were holding up well, even when their powers pushed them to the limit. Kai's fire clashed with Lloyd's energy in a brilliant display of raw force, his twin katanas a blur as he charged while Lloyd deflected with precise bursts of green energy. The clashes left scorch marks and cracks in the ground, but no real harm to either of them. These sparring sessions weren't just fun—they were essential in helping them gain better control over their abilities.

But today, things were different. Instead of sparring with Kai, Jay suggested Lloyd take on Lyra.

Her suit was designed to suppress her decay ability—an eerie power she still struggled to control. She called it "decay" because it could disintegrate objects with just a touch, but her power didn't stop there. She could also shoot beams of dark purple energy, her strength far surpassing what you'd expect from someone her size. Despite the suit's safeguards, Jay had made it so she could still access her powers when needed, though with more control.

They squared off in the middle of the field, the air around them growing tense. Lloyd hadn't fought Lyra before, not seriously. Sure, they'd trained together, but sparring was different—especially when one wrong move could disintegrate half the field.

"Ready for this?" he asked, trying to hide his nervousness with a grin.

Lyra didn't smile back. She just nodded, her eyes focused and determined. "Ready."

They circled each other for a moment before she lunged. Lloyd dodged her first strike, then retaliated with a blast of green energy, sending it hurtling toward her. She absorbed the impact, her suit glowing faintly as it neutralized the energy, then retaliated with a blast of her own—dark purple energy ripping through the air.

He blocked it, feeling the force shudder through his arms, and they clashed again. Blow after blow, they pushed each other harder and harder. Her strength was no joke; every hit felt like she could shatter bones if she wanted to. Lloyd could feel himself getting faster, stronger, as the energy inside him surged. He dodged one of her beams and sent another punch her way, just grazing her side.

That's when things started to get... strange.

Her energy seemed to darken, her eyes glowing with a fierce light. He barely had time to react as she charged at him again, her power surging. This time, her touch didn't just disintegrate the ground beneath her feet—it left a trail of crackling darkness in the air. He felt it before he saw it—a cold, sinister presence swirling around her.

"Lyra, you okay?" he called out as he dodged another one of her beams, this one even more intense than the last.

She didn't respond. Her eyes were locked onto him, her face tight with concentration, but something else was there—something darker. She moved faster, her strikes more aggressive, her energy spiraling out of control. The ground around them was starting to disintegrate in patches, the grass turning to ash beneath her feet.

"Lyra!" he shouted, but it was like she couldn't hear him.

She sent a blast of energy straight toward him, and this time he couldn't dodge it. It hit him square in the chest, sending him flying back. His suit absorbed most of the impact, but he still felt the burn of her energy as he landed hard on the ground, skidding to a stop.

He staggered to his feet, his chest heaving. Something was wrong—really wrong. Lyra was losing control. The purple energy swirling around her was darker now, more volatile, and it was as if she was being overtaken by something else.

He had no choice. He had to fight back—hard.

Gathering all the energy he could, Lloyd launched a powerful blast of green energy toward her. It collided with her dark energy, the two forces clashing in a brilliant explosion of light and shadow. For a moment, everything went still, the air thick with tension.

Then, with a scream, Lyra collapsed, her energy fading away as she fell to the ground. Lloyd rushed to her side, heart pounding, fear and adrenaline coursing through him.

"Lyra!" He knelt beside her, shaking her gently. "Hey, are you okay?"

She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, they were still glowing with that strange dark light, but then it faded, and she looked up at him with confusion and exhaustion.

"Lloyd... what happened?" she asked weakly.

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, relief flooding through him. "You... lost control for a second there. It was like something darker took over."

She frowned, her face pale. "I didn't mean to... I couldn't stop it."

"Don't worry," he said, helping her sit up. "We'll figure it out. Together."

As the rest of the team rushed over, concern etched on their faces, Lloyd couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Lyra's power was more dangerous than they'd realized, and if she couldn't control it, they were going to have a much bigger problem on their hands.

The dust from the fight settled around them, a stark reminder of just how out of control things had gotten. Lyra sat slumped against a jagged rock, her breath labored and her eyes darkened with something they couldn't quite place. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still—silent, except for the sound of their breathing.

Kai, who had always been the first to jump into any situation, knelt down beside her, his brow furrowed with concern. "That was... intense," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Lyra, you good?"

Lyra slowly rubbed her forehead, the exhaustion clear in her expression. "I-I'm fine," she whispered. But her voice faltered. She wasn't fine, and they all knew it.

She clenched her fists, looking down at her hands as if they belonged to someone else. "One second I was fine. I had control. But then... something inside me snapped, and it all just... exploded."

A shiver ran down Lloyd's spine. Lyra's power had always been unpredictable—volatile, even. But today had been different. Today, it had felt darker, like something was lurking beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to break free.

"We'll figure it out," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "This is what the training's for. We're still learning. We just need to help you get a handle on it. Whatever it is that's inside of you... we'll find a way to control it."

Jay, who had been watching the whole match with wide, nervous eyes, finally stepped forward. His usual enthusiasm was dampened by what had just unfolded. "I'm gonna tweak your suit, Lyra. I think it needs more safeguards, something to help regulate your power. I don't want you—or anyone else—getting hurt."

Lyra's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Yeah. Thanks, Jay." She sounded grateful, but there was something... off. A flicker of frustration, maybe even resentment. She hated the idea of being restrained—of needing control measures. And he got that. But right now, it was clear that without them, things could go from bad to worse.

They stood there in a tense silence, the wind swirling around them. Lyra's power had felt like a dark wave, almost like it wasn't entirely hers anymore. It made Lloyd wonder how much of her they were losing to it.

Then Jay's communicator buzzed. The sound cut through the tension like a knife, making everyone jump. He fumbled with the device, his eyes widening as he read the message. "Guys, you're not going to believe this."

He looked up at them, his face a mix of shock and excitement. "There's a bank robbery happening downtown. The cops... they're asking for help."

Lloyd's stomach twisted into knots. "Help? From us?"

Jay nodded vigorously. "Yeah! I mean, we did say we'd step up as heroes, right? Well, this is our chance!"

Kai grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Finally, some real action. Let's go show them what we can do."

But before they could rush off, Lloyd glanced back at Lyra. She was still on her feet, but her eyes were clouded, distant. He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. "Lyra, are you sure you're up for this? Maybe you should sit this one out, just until we figure things out—"

Her eyes snapped to his, and there was a sharpness there that hadn't been there before. "I said I'm fine," she growled, her voice hard. "I'm not sitting anything out."

The intensity in her gaze caught him off guard, but he didn't push it. Something was changing in her, and he had no idea what it meant. But right now, they didn't have time to figure that out.

They suited up quickly, grabbing the weapons Jay had designed for them. Lloyd's hand felt a strange weight as he held his golden saber. It wasn't just a tool—it was a responsibility. The same went for all of them. They weren't just training anymore. They were about to face a real threat.

The chaos hit them the moment they arrived downtown. Police cars barricaded the streets, their lights flashing like beacons of warning. A crowd had gathered at a safe distance, watching the bank with a mix of fear and curiosity. Inside, masked robbers were shouting orders, their guns pointed at terrified hostages.

"Alright," Lloyd said, trying to take charge despite the panic coursing through him. "The priority is the hostages. We need to get them out safely. Kai, Zane, you two provide the distraction. Keep the robbers focused on you."

Kai grinned, fire sparking in his palms. "Easy. Let's give them a show."

Zane nodded, his face calm and focused as ever. "I'll back him up with ice barriers. That should give us enough time to get the hostages out."

Lloyd turned to Lyra. She was still pale, but her expression was cold, determined. "You and I are going for the hostages. You with me?"

She nodded curtly. "I'm in."

As Kai and Zane approached the front of the bank, flames and ice began to swirl in tandem, creating a chaotic display that drew the robbers' attention. Shots rang out, but Zane's ice barriers deflected the bullets harmlessly. It was all the opening they needed.

Lyra and Lloyd slipped in through a side entrance, moving swiftly through the bank's back corridors. They found the hostages huddled together, their faces pale with fear. Lyra stepped forward, her hand glowing with dark energy. Lloyd tensed, ready to stop her if her power went haywire again, but she controlled it, using just enough to disintegrate the ropes binding the hostages.

"Go," Lloyd whispered urgently, guiding the hostages toward the exit. "Stay low and keep quiet."

Once they were safely outside, he turned back to Lyra. "Alright. Time to deal with the robbers."

But there was something strange in her eyes. A flicker of darkness, like a shadow lurking just beneath the surface. She said nothing, just nodded, and they moved back toward the main room where Kai and Zane were still holding off the robbers.

Nya and Cole had joined the fight by now, using water and earth to disable the robbers' weapons. The fight was nearing its end, but Lyra's presence was heavy beside Lloyd. When she unleashed her power this time, it felt different—more forceful, almost vengeful. The dark energy that erupted from her sent the last robber flying across the room, his body crumpling against the wall with a sickening thud.

Lloyd glanced at her, his heart pounding. "Lyra... you okay?"

She looked at him with those darkened eyes and smiled. But it wasn't the smile of the friend he knew. It was colder. Harder. "I'm fine," she said, her voice sharp. "I handled it, didn't I?"

He swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. The robbers were down, the hostages were safe, and yet... something felt wrong. Very wrong.

Before he could dwell on it, the police stormed in, rounding up the robbers and securing the scene. Reporters descended on them like vultures, cameras flashing and microphones thrust in their faces.

"Who are you?" one of them shouted. "How did you do that? Are you superheroes?"

Kai nudged Lloyd with his elbow, smirking. "You're the leader, Lloyd. Say something."

Lloyd took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling the weight of the moment crash down on him. "We're just here to help," he said, keeping it simple. "That's all."

But as the reporters pressed for more answers, he glanced over at Lyra. She was standing off to the side, her expression unreadable, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. And he couldn't shake the feeling that something was slipping away—something dangerous that none of them were ready to face.