In Primeval's Eye, Lloyd and Harumi are running through the jungle in fright as a creature was following them from behind as it gave a roar as they ran as fast as they could while some trees tumbled down while Harumi tripped down before Lloyd helped her up. "Come on!" He urged as the two kept going.
They kept running before they fell down into a ditch as they fell into a small hole in the crack as Lloyd raised a finger to tell Harumi to stay quiet as the create was over them while trying to find them as the two kept silent before the creature marched off with a roar as Lloyd sighed in relief.
Soon, Lloyd looked over head as he saw the close is clear before nodding to Harumi as they climbed up. Lloyd grunted a bit in pain as he tried to look at the map on his arm while using his sword to support himself. "Are you okay?" Harumi asked in concern.
"Yeah. Just… need a second." Lloyd said as he tried to look at the map as he lifted his arm up a bit, but cringed.
"Lloyd, please, let me help." Harumi said as she adjusted his sling, "There, how does that feel?"
"Oh, good. Very close." Lloyd said with a smile before he realized what he said. "I-I-I mean, snuggly. I mean, snug." He quickly said as Harumi gave a small smile.
"Are you sure we're heading the right way?" Harumi asked in curiosity. "Everything in this jungle looks exactly the same.
"Pretty sure. If this map is right." Lloyd said while gesturing to the map on his arm. "There's a river that runs through Primeval's Eye that way." He pointed his sword ahead further into the jungle. "The river leads straight to the hidden Oni Temple that holds the third mask." He added.
"Lloyd, maybe we should turn back and regroup with the others at the Bounty," Harumi told him, "With your arm injured like that and we're all alone out here."
"I'm doing okay." Lloyd assured her with a smile. "And, anyway, we can't take the chance. If the Sons of Garmadon get to the mask first, they'll have all three." He reminded Harumi that they needed to keep going.
"Okay, but you need to rest that arm for a while and let me take a turn." Harumi said as she took Lloyd's sword. "You've protected me up to this point, let me repay you."
"S-Sure, okay." Lloyd said with a smile as Harumi stepped forward and swung Lloyd's sword around to cut their way through while Lloyd followed after her.
A bit far from where Lloyd and Harumi are now, the rest of the Ninja are still at the Bounty while trying to make repairs from the crash as Zane looked around and scanned the area as Pixal walked up beside him. "Any sign of Lloyd and Harumi?" Pixal asked.
"Negative." Zane shook his head. "Should I gather a search party?" He suggested.
"In this jungle, it's better to stay with the Bounty." Pixal stated. "Let's get her mended and the computer up and running so we can re-establish our comlink." She said as she and Zane walked back to the others to continue repair of the Bounty.
With Morro, he was still holding the baby before he had a thought. "Hey, guys. Think we should give the baby a name? We can't just keep calling him baby." He said to the others, who are still repairing the thrusters.
"I say you should name him, Morro." Seliel told him. "Besides, you were the one who found him first."
"You and Skylor were with me when we found him." Morro reminded her.
"True, but you were the one who's been totally daddying over him." Skylor said with a smirk.
"I'm not much of a parenting kinda ninja." Morro shrugged. "Just picked up some tips from when Master Wu raised me." Morro said to them. "But something about this baby kept throwing me off, like I know I've seen him somewhere before."
"How about you put the baby down and help us out." Jay suggested after getting Pixal's sword out of the thruster. "Okay, Zane. Give it another try." He said, but only received static on the radio.
"Zane?" Kai asked after noticing it. "Come in, Zane."
"Oh, great." Jay groaned. "Now the radio's not working."
"The Bounty took a pretty hard landing." Demir said to them. "Even with Skylor and Nya, most of the systems are still down."
"How can you be so sure?" Jay questioned.
"Doesn't matter if the vehicle takes you down the road or in the air." Demir said to them. "An engine's still an engine." He commented before they heard a growl from an unknown creature in the jungle, which startled them.
"What do you think that was?" Cole asked nervously.
"Probably just some cute little critter." Skylor said uncertainly.
"Or a big critter." Jay said in fear. "A great big vicious critter with lots of teeth and claws and pincers."
"Jay, you can't tell all that from how it sounds." Seliel said with an annoyed look at Jay's overdramatic.
"Oh yeah, if you listen real carefully." Jay said as he leaned close to the sound before beeping sounds were heard, startling them.
"Did you guys say something? Zane asked while he and Pixal were on the bridge, working on the console.
"Heh." Kai said sheepishly. "Any luck reaching Lloyd or Harumi?"
"Pixal and I have only been able to repair the shortwave com-link." Zane explained. "It appears we won't be able to find them until we get the Bounty over these trees." He explained.
"Well, better be quick." Morro said as he gestured to Lydie, who was looking far deep into the forest. "Lydie hasn't been herself after Lloyd and Harumi fell out of the Bounty and into the jungle."
Morro then walked up to his girlfriend, "Lydie, staring out into the Wilderness isn't gonna bring them any closer," He told her.
"They're out there." Lydie said without turning as she looked out in concern. "We can't just sit around here. If the Sons of Garmadon get them, or whatever is in this jungle that got my mother's old friend, I can't help but worry for them."
"Do not worry, Captain." Zane spoke up as he reached the level. "We'll find them. Ready to test the thrusters?"
"Yes, darling." Rose spoke up.
"Fire it up." Kai said.
"Let's give it a go." Cole added.
"Go for it." Jay said.
"Ready when you are." Demir spoke up.
"Time for a test run." Skylor said.
"Brace yourselves." Seliel said as Zane and Pixal pulled some levers, which started up the thrusters.
"Haha! It's working!" Cole cheered.
"I'll say! Fi-ya!" Kai cheered, but the thruster burned out as it gave a smoke.
"Ah! Cut it off!" Demir shouted.
"Abort! Abort!" Jay exclaimed.
"Shut it down! Shut it down!" Kai cried out as Zane and Pixal shut it down as he looked down and saw the others covered in soot.
"Ah! That's it! I had it!" Jay exclaimed as Zane gave a chuckle. "First, we crash land in who knows where, surrounded by who knows what and now this!" He exclaimed in frustration.
"Well at least the baby's fine." Cole said, looking at the baby in Morro's arms. "Now we can give the diapers to Jay."
"Hahahaha, hilarious." Jay said sarcastically before some zooming sounds were heard. "What? What was that?" He asked before Nya came in with the now fully operational Samurai mech.
"Look what I found." Nya said with a smile.
"My suit!" Pixal cheered before stopping herself. "Uhh I mean, your suit." She corrected sheepishly.
"It's okay, Pixal." Nya assured with a wink as the mech opened up as she got up and landed next to Jay. "You're Samurai X now." She said as Pixal smiled.
"I thought you were gonna tear out her circuits for stealing your stuff?" Rose asked with a brow.
"I was before I discovered who it was." Nya said with a sheepish look. "No hard feelings?" She asked Pixal.
"None at all." Pixal assured with a smile.
"Good. And also, there was a note on it from Lloyd." Nya said as she revealed a leaf note. "He and Rumi are going to the temple."
"Then they're okay." Cole said in relief.
"But we're still grounded." Kai reminded them. "Let's get back to work, before the Sons of Garmadon pick up our trail."
Lydie looked down for a bit before showing a determined look. "You guys go on and fix the Bounty, I'm gonna go see if I can catch up to Lloyd and Rumi." She said as she began to walk off.
"Wait, what?" Demir asked in shock as they turned to their leader.
"Wait, Captain." Cole spoke up. "Shouldn't we stay together?"
"Not while Lloyd and Harumi are out there alone." Lydie said seriously as she jumped down from the Bounty. "Besides, we'll have a better advantage if I follow them while you all fixed the Bounty."
"But Captain, the jungle…" Zane tried to say.
"We've been through far worse than a jungle, Zane." Lydie said firmly. "You all stay and fix the ship, I'm going. And I'm gonna help my brother and friend." She said before she then jump onto the trees and used the branches to start swinging or jumping through the jungle as the Ninja watched their leader go.
"Wow, Lydie is pretty determined to find her brother and Harumi." Skylor commented in surprise.
"Well if you had a little sibling you probably would've done the same." Seliel said with a shrug.
"But, won't she get hurt out there?" Jay asked in concern.
"Jay, this is Lydie we're talking about." Nya reminded her boyfriend.
"Goodpoint." Jay said in understanding as they all went back to repairing the Bounty.
Meanwhile at the far end of the jungle, the Sons of Garmadon stopped when they saw the smoke from the crash Bounty bellowing from the distance as they all stopped with Enaz, Killow, and Ultra Violet were in front of the others. "The Bounty went down, just as the Watcher planned." Killow said.
"Hmm. This is gonna be fun." Ultra Violet said with a crazed laughter.
"Uh…" A biker spoke up as the three generals turned to him with a worried look. "It's just…"
"What is it?" Killow questioned him with a look.
"What about the others who went?" The biker asked.
"And the stories about the sea monster." The second biker added.
Killow stepped out of his bike and picked up the first biker who spoke by the leg and shook him. "And what do you think the Watcher will do to you? Hmm?" Killow questioned him.
"It'll be worse than whatever we find out there, I promise you." Ultra Violet assured, since she knew whatever Primeval's Eye will give them is nothing compared to the Watcher's wrath for their failure.
Enaz's eyes started to glow for a bit before looking at Killow. "The Watcher is on foot to the Temple." He reported.
"Then let's make sure we give the boss a ride after the mission." Ultra Violet declared as she gave a crazed yell as the Sons of Garmadon drew off into the jungle.
As Harumi cuts through the foliage Lloyd follows behind, "Is this what Adventure is like? Wandering through unknown lands, surrounded by bugs and monsters waiting to disembowel us at any moment?" Harumi asked Lloyd as they pressed onwards.
Lloyd shrugged, "Yeah, pretty much." He said casually. "Terrified?"
"Excited." Harumi corrected him with a smile.
"Yeah, that too." Lloyd said with a smile in return. "Though, if this keeps happening as often, you find it terrifying when you thought it was fun at first." He stated.
"Well, that's the life of a Ninja, ain't it?" Harumi asked with a smirk as she kept cutting the foliage.
"I guess that's true." Lloyd admitted as he and Harumi pressed on. "So, I know we talked about having some time together, but this wasn't exactly how I pictured it."
"Trudging our way through one of the most dangerous places in the realm? Funny, because it's exactly how I pictured it." Harumi smiled as she kept slicing their way through. "To be honest, anything is better being with you, even if it's dangerous." She said while giving Lloyd a warm smile.
Lloyd returned the smile as Harumi kept cutting the plants as they walked down the path. "So, Lloyd, are we any further?" She asked as she kept cutting.
"Let me check." Lloyd said as he looked at his sling map on his arm. "According to this, we're almost to the Black River. We just have to get past this part that reads 'Strangeler's Path'." He stated.
Harumi stopped and turned to him worriedly, "Did you say Strangeler's Path? That's cheery." She said sarcastically, "Why can't adventurers ever call something the Path of Pillows or Kitten's Way?" She asked. "Why did they even call it like that anyway?"
"Don't worry, Rumi. Places like these always have colorful names." Lloyd assured casually. "Half of the time, it doesn't mean anything. The Caves of Despair, Blind Man's Eye, Hiroshi's Labyrinth." He listed out.
"The Island of Darkness, the Glacier Barrens, the Realm of Madness?" Harumi listed playfully.
"Hey! That last one isn't even in Ninja-WHHOAA!." Lloyd defended as a snake-like vine crept up behind him before it dragged him away as Harumi looked in panic.
"Lloyd!" Harumi shouted in worry as she chased after him.
"Ruuumiiii!" Lloyd shouted next as he lost the map as he was dragged across the jungle floor, trying desperately to grab onto something and stop whatever was pulling him but couldn't.
Lloyd kept being dragged until he saw a Strangle Tree as it snarled and opened its mouth as Lloyd was starting to panic.
"You're kidding me?!" Lloyd shouted as he tried to get away from the tree as he was drawing close to its mouth before his sword then landed on the vine as the Strangle Tree screamed as the vine that held Lloyd was sliced off and the creature closed its mouth in pain.
Lloyd saw Harumi pose like she was throwing something backed up while panting before she looked worried, "Lloyd!" She cried running towards him.
Lloyd turned back to Strangle Tree while still in shock by his near-death experience. "I-It just- It tried to- you just threw- How did the tree-!?" He asked frantically as he backed up from the tree as the Strangle Tree groaned as Lloyd took a breather. "Nice throw." He said as Harumi slid next to him and started checking him over.
"Are you alright?! I'm sorry I didn't warn you sooner! That tree was about to eat you so I panicked and did what you said about throwing weapons at your enemies! I didn't cut off your arms or legs did I?!" Harumi frantically asked as she checked Lloyd for any missing limbs or any other injuries.
Lloyd just lets out a reassuring laugh, "Rumi relax, I'm fine. It takes more than an overgrown salad to take me-"
Harumi didn't let him finish as she grabbed Lloyd by the shirt as she kissed Lloyd on the lips as Lloyd was stunned and silent by that as Harumi realized what she did as she broke apart from Lloyd as he looked at her in stunned as he shook his head to process what she did.
Harumi's eyes shrunk in horror when she realized what she did, "I-I, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I was aiming for your cheek and, and-" She tried to explain as she backed away and then ran.
"W-Wait, Rumi!" Lloyd said, immediately recovering, and chased after her, "Stop! We're supposed to stick together!" He called as Harumi kept running.
Harumi didn't reply and just kept running, ashamed and afraid she ruined her friendship with Lloyd. "Rumi, I said, Stop-WHOA!" Harumi turned around just in time to see Lloyd had tripped and tumbled into her as they both rolled down a hill and into clearing.
Once they recovered, Harumi found herself under Lloyd and blushed brightly as the sun bathed down on him, illuminating his golden gi. Lloyd blushed as well when he saw that he was on top of Harumi as he gave a sheepish chuckle.
"W-Well, this is embarrassing." Lloyd said nervously as Harumi just blushed and looked away shamefully. Lloyd frowned, "Rumi, talk to me? Why did you run away like that?" He asked before looking away in worry, "Were you, were you upset that you had to kiss me?"
"NO! No, of course not!" Harumi said as she sat up, "I-In fact it should be you who was uncomfortable about that! I just, kissed you out of nowhere! You're my best friend for Spinjitzu Master's sake! What was I thinking when I-"
"Rumi." Harumi stopped her rant as she turned to Lloyd who looked at her with a serious expression, "I think it's pretty obvious at this point that we don't see each other as just best friends." He stated simply.
Harumi looked at Lloyd for a moment as she sighed. "Yes. I suppose we aren't just friends anymore. I guess when tomorrow's tea turned us into teens it really did show how connected we are." She said while twiddling her fingers. "Lloyd, to tell you the truth, when we first met, you've been my best friend after helping me through the grief of losing my birth parents. But over the times we spent together before a whole year of not seeing you, I've had this feeling inside me that I wanted to let out, but I was afraid that I'd ruin our friendship at the time and since your return, this feeling grew stronger and stronger and I knew sooner or later it was going to make me do something stupid unless I finally said it to your face."
"Like that kiss you gave me just a second ago?" Lloyd asked teasingly.
Harumi gave a sheepish blush. "Well, that was one of them, but truthly, I was afraid of how you would react and might not like it. That you'd never see me as your best friend again if I did something stupid." She said while looking down in shame.
"Well, you're right, that kiss did stop me from seeing you as my best friend." Lloyd started as Harumi looked down tearfully before she felt Lloyd holding her chin as he tilted her to look at him, smiling warmly at her, "It made me see you as something, even better." He said.
"Like what?" Harumi asked in confusion.
"Like this." Lloyd said as he held Harumi by the cheeks and gently pulled her into a kiss, which made Harumi squeak in surprise before she slowly closed her eyes and returned it as she wrapped her arms around his neck and Lloyd moved his hand to her back.
The two stayed that way for a moment before they broke apart as Lloyd gave a warm smile at Harumi as she still had her eyes closed with a smile. "Well, I guess I wasn't the only one who felt this way to a friend." She said with a smirk.
"No you weren't Harumi, but to tell you the truth. I wanted to tell you something I haven't told you before." Lloyd said while giving a thoughtful look.
"And what's that, Lloyd?" Harumi asked with a smile.
Lloyd took a breath as he spoke. "Well, Rumi, since the day we met, you were the first true friend I had after my brothers and sisters. And that you were the first person I could relate to about having your life chosen for you and dealing with the unwanted baggage that came with it, but you were always there to support me through, helped me find the strength to keep going and always been helping me and the others as best you could, no matter how tough times got. Before long I began to see you as kind, honest, brave, funny and, of course, the most beautiful girl I ever met. I never cared about the crown, just the girl who was wearing it." He said, looking at her warmly.
Harumi teared up in joy as she gave a small smile and then gave Lloyd a big hug as he returned it. "Thank you, Lloyd. I didn't realize you thought of me like that." She said in joy.
"I've always thought of you Rumi, not a single day went by that I didn't." Lloyd told her as they pulled away, "So, should I say it first or do you want the honors?" He asked with a smirk.
"How about we both say it together." Harumi suggested with a smirk.
"As you wish, your highness." Lloyd said playfully as the two chuckled.
They both looked at each other for a moment as they counted in their heads as they took a breath and spoke. "I love you Lloyd/Harumi." They both said in unison as the two looked at each other in surprise before they laughed together.
"We really are alike, huh?" Harumi asked with a chuckle.
"I guess we are." Lloyd said with the same chuckle as the two were like this for a moment before they calmed down and Lloyd stood up. "So, should we continue, my princess?" He said chivalrously, offering his hand.
"Yes we should, my prince." Harumi said in the same tone as she accepted Lloyd's hand and he helped her up as Lloyd gave her his sword and he held the map. "How's your arm?" She asked in concern.
Lloyd moved his arm around to check on it. "It's alright, now." He assured as the two smiled at each other.
"Then let's continue our search for the third mask." Harumi declared as she then took the lead as Lloyd walked beside her. "And this time, let's not judge something by its name since it has meaning to it." She said teasingly.
"Excellent advice, your wiseness." Lloyd joked as they chuckled and pressed onwards while Harumi cut the plants while being careful not to cut Lloyd next to her as they held hands.
Meanwhile in the forest, Lydie kept jumping through trees as she kept her search for Lloyd and Harumi as she seemed determined to find them. Lydie swung through vines before she stopped at a certain area, it was the rocky area where Harumi and Lloyd hid from the creature.
Lydie kneeled down and dug up some dirt as she sniffed it. "Mmm, perfect perfume and manspray. That's gotta be them." She muttered before she squinted her eyes and turned to a direction where she saw a path was cut through as she inspected it. "These plants were cut by a sword. And a sloppy swing, Harumi must've been carrying Lloyd's sword." She noted before she saw the path clear ahead. "And they went off this way. Nice." She said with a smirk as she rushed forward. "Hang on, you two love birds. I'm coming." She said as she followed the trail.
Meanwhile back on the Bounty, Zane andPixal were still on the bridge while trying to get the console back on online as Zane was setting up the connection while Harumi kept flipping the switch. "Try now." Zane said as Pixal flip the switch.
"No." Pixal answered.
"And now?" Zane asked as he made another connection as Pixal flipped another switch.
"No." Pixal repeated a bit frustratedly, which Zane noticed.
"I detect frustration from you." Zane said as Pixal turn to him. "Yet that emotion is not needed for this task. Is something wrong?"
"No." Pixal said as she looked away with her hands together before she quickly corrected herself. "Yes." She said as she looked down for a moment. "Zane, may I ask you something?" She asked.
Zane gave a small smile. "You have half my heart. You can ask me anything." He said as Pixal gave a smile.
"Was I more… useful inside the computer?" Pixal asked in wonder with a frown, which surprised Zane by it.
"What sort of question is that?" Zane asked in surprise.
"You can be honest with me, because I want to be a useful member of the team, but I would prefer not to return to the computer." Pixal explained as she looked at the monitor she once operated inside as Zane gave a surprise look from it. "I like having a body, but if you require my assistance in your headset-"
"The choice has always been yours, Pixal," Zane said as he caressed her cheek, "And I for one, prefer having you like this," He said with a warm smile as Pixal leaned into his touch.
"Good." Pixal said, feeling much more at ease as the two got back to work.
"Now?" Zane asked.
"Still no." Pixal answered after flipping the switch again but sounding much happier.
Somewhere in the jungle, the Sons of Garmadon stopped as Killow got off and walked up to Enaz and Ultra Violet. "Why have we stopped?" Killow questioned them.
"Because I don't fly." Ultra Violet said while gesturing to the large gap to the otherside of the jungle.
Killow saw this dilemma and saw how far down it was before he noticed some stone pillars by the center of the gap as he gave a smirk and turned to his comrades. "Why fly when you have this?" He asked as he held up the Mask of Deception as he put it on and gave a laugh as the mask glowed and horns sprouted before he then used its powers to levitate some rocks around them before forming a bridge in the middle as he took off his mask and turned to his comrades. "Now… let's ride." He declared as they all cheered and rode across the bridge as they got closer to the Bounty's location.
Back at the Bounty. the Ninja were still making repairs, the girls were picking out the foliage while the boys were fixing up the machinery, "Keep it up friends. She'll be skyworthy again in no time." Rose said with a smile.
"Still, I wonder if Lloyd and Harumi are okay out there?" Cole wondered as he worked on the steering wheel..
"Oh, I'm sure they're fine." Kai said with a smirk as he moved some plants that got caught in the Bounty during the crash away. "They don't have any trouble looking out for each other."
"Heh, how much are any of you willing to bet that they have finally confessed their feelings to each other by now?" Demir asked with a chuckle.
"Yeah, I can definitely see that happening," Morro said, looking at the thrust commands, "Pass the wrench?" He asked Kai.
"Got the wrench?" Kai asked Cole.
"Need the wrench," Cole told Demir.
"Send me the Wrench," Demir told Jay.
"Wrench coming your way." Jay said as he tossed a wrench to Demir, who tossed it to Kai, who gave it to Cole, and gave it to Morro.
"So, Lloyd and the Princess," Morro said with a grin as he cranked the wrench, "Heh, if this keeps heating up, what are we gonna have to call him next? Emperor Lloyd?" He joked.
"The Royal Golden Ninja?" Nya tried.
"The Emperor Ninja?" Demir guessed.
"His royal Ninjaness?" Cole offered.
"Heh, that is a good one." Morro said with a chuckle as he raised his hand. "Pliers?"
"Got the pliers?" Kai asked Cole.
"Need the pliers." Cole asked Demir.
"Send me the pliers." Demir told Jay.
Jay looked at the tools and frowned, "I don't have the pliers," He said before a small hand held out the pliers for him, "Oh, thanks," He said, taking the pliers before realizing what he saw and shook his head and gasped when he saw the baby, now toddler age, wearing a beige onesie hoodie, giggling and jumping a bit. Jay gawked at the toddler in shock, "Skylor, Seliel? Uh, I thought you two put the baby down for a nap?" Jay asked the two girls.
"We did, but the little guy was pretty restless though." Skylor told him.
"He's pretty energetic." Seliel added.
"Uh huh, yeah, so energetic that he's standing next to me and handing me the pliers?" Jay asked as the Toddler started jumping around.
"Wait, what?" Morro asked in surprise as they all came over to Jay and were shocked to see the Toddler, "He's walking already?!" He said in shock.
"Um, I don't know much about babies, but they're not supposed to walk yet, right?" Cole asked.
"No, no they're not." Kai answered just as shocked.
"Indeed, I summarize it would take a child 2 years to even learn how to stand," Pixal added.
"And I am not certain they are familiar with pliers," Zane pointed out as the Toddler went over to the table.
Just then, the Toddler grabbed a tea cup and blew on it and started carefully sipping some tea. "And they definitely can't do that." Nya said in disbelief.
"Okay, now I've seen it all!" Jay exclaimed in exasperation, "Now I really quit!"
The toddler turned to the Ninja with a smile. "Ah. Ninja never quit." He said, giving off a giggles while the Ninja all looked at him in shock and disbelief.
"Did he just say…." Demir started.
"Ninja never quit?" Rose asked in complete shock.
"Guys, that, is no baby," Jay said nervously.
"It definitely isn't," Skylor said.
"Wait." Zane spoke up. "Knowing what pliers are, suddenly walking so quickly, the interest in tea." He listed off as they all realized who the baby was.
"It can't be," Nya denied with a weirded out look.
Morro then kneeled down to the Toddler and looked him in the eye, "Dad? Is that you?" He asked.
"Hi, Son." The Toddler answered, which made Morro's eyes widened before he fainted on his back with his legs stiffly in the air while the Ninjas looked at the Toddler as he giggled at their expressions.
"That's Master Wu." Jay muttered in complete shock.
Meanwhile, Harumi and Lloyd continued on through the jungle while Harumi kept slicing through the plants while Lloyd looked at the map carefully before Harumi cut a vine and then yelped when she saw the Sons of Garmadon logo as she and Lloyd looked at it in surprise.
"The Sons of Garmadon insignia." Lloyd muttered as he and Harumi looked at the boat.
"But… what is it doing here?" Harumi asked in confusion as the two got onto the boat and Harumi gave Lloyd back his sword as he checked around. "Is anyone there?"
"No. It's abandoned." Lloyd answered while in the cockpit before noticing a key and a map on the desk. "The same map?" He asked in surprise.
"I thought no one knew where the Oni Temple was located." Harumi wondered.
"So why are there two maps?" Lloyd asked in confusion while holding the map in his hand before connecting the dots. "The Watcher must have sent an expedition looking for the temple." He realized.
"Doesn't look like they got very far." Harumi noted while noticing the condition the boat is with some webs and cracked windows around.
"Yeah, but where did they go? What happened to them?" Lloyd wondered.
"That's a question that's better left unanswered." A familiar voice spoke up, startling the two before they turned and saw Lydie leaning by the doorway.
"Lydie/Sis!" Both Lloyd and Harumi exclaimed as they both approached Lydie and hugged her.
"Heheh, I am so glad you two are okay." Lydie said in relief as she returned the hug as they separated.
"But how did you find us?" Harumi asked in wonder. "The jungle is vast."
"Have you forgotten that I'm a skillfully trained Ninja?" Lydie said with a smirk. "That, and after going to the crash sight of Pixal's mech and retracing your steps, I followed some clues of where you've been and tracked you both down. Which by the way, this jungle is really wild to say the least."
"Oh, you have no idea." Lloyd said with a smile. "How's the others?"
"They're back at the Bounty, doing repairs." Lydie explained. "The old girl took a hard hit, and it might be a while before she's airborne again so I decided to go on ahead and find you two, which I did. And been looking out for each other in a place like this, huh?" She asked with a smirk.
"You could say that." Lloyd said while he and Harumi shared warm smiles with each other, which Lydie noticed as she gave a smirk before seeing the keys as she took them.
"Well, let's see if this tub still works so we can find that last mask." Lydie said to them as she went up to the wheel and inserted the key as she started up the engine, which stuttered a few times before it powered up as they started moving, which made the three yelp and shared a laugh.
"Heh, I guess we have good luck when we're together." Lloyd commented as he and Harumi stepped forward as Lloyd picked up a stick and started moving it around while inspecting how deep the lake is and how many rocks there are while Lydie steered the boat while Harumi stood by. "Five feet. That's okay." He said as he hit some rocks. "A little left, sis. More rocks." He explained as Lydie did just that.
"Not too fast though." Harumi spoke up. "The water seems pretty shallow." She stated as Lydie slowed the boat down a bit.
"That's good. Keep her steady." Lloyd said while still using the pole to navigate the obstacles in the water.
"You two managed to get this far on your own, pretty impressive," Lydie complimented before giving a sly grin, "Sooo, did anything interesting happen on the way here?"
Harumi and Lloyd looked at one another before they turned away with embarrassing looks as they gave sheepish chuckles. "Well, uh…" Lloyd stammered.
"Well, we uh…" Harumi stammered while playing with her hair.
Lydie's grin only got bigger as she saw how they were acting. "Well, well, well. Looks like it has finally happened." She said with a smirk. "You two are finally a couple, aren't you?"
Both Harumi and Lloyd looked at Lydie in shock. "How did you know?!" They both asked in unison before turning to each other in surprise while Lydie gave giggles.
"Aw, you two even talk in perfect sync," Lydie cooed, which made the two of them blush.
"Ugh, now I wish we were still alone." Lloyd muttered as he and Harumi continued to look out with embarrassing looks as Lydie gave a giggle as the three continued downstream for a bit.
Harumi gave a thoughtful look before she spoke up. "Lloyd, Lydie, do either of you think it's really possible to bring someone back from the dead?" She wondered, which the Garma-Twins were surprised by the question as they thought for a moment.
"We've seen a lot of things in our lifetime, Harumi. So, it's possible, we think." Lydie said in thought.
"At first, we didn't. Now, we're not sure." Lloyd added.
"Does any part of you both want to see your father again?" Harumi added as the Garma-Twins stood quiet from that for a moment.
"We've had Ninjago's greatest villain as our dad, Harumi." Lydie said to her. "It was, complicated."
"Yeah, it was an… unusual relationship." Lloyd added. "But as much as we fought, we still miss him."
"Even when the Devourer's venom turned him evil, our father still cared for us." Lydie said with a sad frown. "He wasn't always a bad man. He just… never had a choice to be a good one from the start."
"A little to the right." Lloyd said as Lydie turned a bit to the right.
"Anyway, why did you ask that, Harumi?" Lydie wondered. "Something on your mind about bringing people back?"
Harumi gave a sigh. "It's just that, after hearing that Garmadon could be brought back, makes me wonder if I would do anything to see my parents again." She explained with a sad look.
"We don't blame you." Lloyd said to her. "But there is one sad downside to it."
"If the Sons of Garmadon bring our father back, the thing that scares us the most is…" Lydie started off with a sad look.
"He won't be the man you two recognize?" Harumi finished in sympathy as the Garma-Twins nodded. "We know he wasn't the greatest villain."
"Oh, no?" Lloyd asked in curiosity.
"Harumi, you might be thinking of the Devourer. Or maybe the Overlord. Wait, don't tell us…" Lydie started with a smirk.
"Pythor?" The Garma-Twins guessed in unison.
"Heh, well he is number 1 on my hate list." Harumi said as the three shared a chuckle. "But no he's not, because my mom, both my biological and the empress, told me that the greatest villain, is the one you never knew was there in the first place, the one who got away, and the one who is always the person you least expect."
The Garma-Twins knew what Harumi was talking about. "The Watcher." They muttered as Lloyd kept his stick in the water.
"But Harumi, what do you mean by the one who is always the person you least expect?" Lydie asked.
"Think about it. Many of you Ninjas have faced so many villains in Ninjago for so long, it's probably one new one who isn't one from your past." Harumi said to them. "And usually, by the time we're gonna find out who it is, we're gonna be at least expected of who it is. Heck, it could even be a close friend who's been playing you since the beginning, that's what I mean by it's always the one you least expect."
"You make a good point." Lydie said, having a thoughtful look from her words as they continued down stream as they didn't notice a shell like creature swimming underneath them.
Meanwhile, back on the Bounty, the Ninja gathered around and looked at the Toddler Wu. "So, he likes tea and he went through a growth spurt. That doesn't mean he's Wu." Nya tried to deny it.
"Master…" Toddler Wu started as he then got a quick sip from his tea. "Wu." He said as they all gave surprised looks as they were familiar with the gesture.
"That's him alright." Nya said with a sheepish smile.
"But how did he get so… young?" Rose asked.
"Who knows, he's a living fortune cookie." Jay said as Toddler Wu took a sip only to see that the cup was empty. "Everything he does is a puzzle meant to torture us!" He shouted as Toddler Wu tossed the cup away.
"Maybe we'll never know." Cole said with a shrug.
Morro then realizes something. "Wait a minute, The Reversal Blade!" He exclaimed. "Kai, you said that Master Wu was touched by The Reversal Blade before he disappeared in time right?"
"Yeah, so?" Kai asked.
"So, what if it did more than reverse the Time Punch, what if the time he spent in the Time Vortex accelerated his deaging." Morro said to them as he walked up to Toddler Wu as he giggled and reached for the teapot while Morro grabbed it for him. "Turning him into, this." He added, gesturing to the little master."
"If your assumption is correct, logic would dictate that he would begin again more rapidly once the effects of the blade have worn off." Zane summarized as Jay walked up with the teacup.
"So that explains how a baby can learn to walk overnight, but how long until he's, you know, back to good old Wu?" Jay asked as Morro poured some tea into the teacup. "I mean, no offense. You look good for your age." He said as he gave Toddler Wu the teacup as he giggled.
"Only time knows the answer," Pixal said with a smile
"Ugh, the Hands of Time situation really hurts my brain." Skylor said, rubbing her head before they all heard bikes revving close by while in the jungle, the Sons of Garmadon were close by to the crash site as Ultra Violet's laughter was heard.
"And our time is running out." Kai said to them. "How soon till we get outta here?"
"Not soon enough." Nya shook her head.
"The engines still need a bit of fine tuning before we can take off." Demir added as Pixal rushed up to her mech and got on.
"Pixal, what are you doing?" Zane asked in surprise.
"Slowing them down." Pixal answered as she put on her helmet and started up her mech and took off as they watched her go while Zane gave a concerned look.
"She can handle herself." Seliel said to them and Zane. "We need to get the Bounty in the air."
"All hands on deck!" Nya called out as the Ninja rushed off to try and get the Bounty ready as Jay gave toddle Wu to Morro.
"Let's go little, Wu." Morro said as Toddler Wu gave giggles. "You looked after us. It's now fair we look after you." He said.
Meanwhile, the Sons of Garmadon are driving through the forest as Ultra Violet gives crazed yells before blaster shots were fired as they looked up and saw Pixal above them as she fired her lasers at them as Killow fired missiles at her, which she avoided as she landed in front of the Sons of Garmadon's path as she whacked some bikers away.
Killow gave a chuckle as he aimed his missile, launching them as Pixal stepped back to avoid them as she kept fighting.
Back on the Bounty, the Ninjas tried to get the Bounty online as fast as they could. "The timing of their arrival is unfortunate." Zane spoke up. "We have not yet had a fully successful engine test."
"Fully successful?!" Jay repeated. "It blew up in my face!"
"Uhh, in our faces!" Kai corrected him.
"Let's not argue over the details." Rose said to them.
Back with the Garma-Twins and Harumi, they are still floating downstream as Lloyd feels something below. "No rocks. No rocks." Lloyd said to them.
"Spider in the house, sleep, sleep." Harumi sang as she tried to pass the time. "Spider bit the mouse, sleep deep. Don't wake-" She sang as Lydie gave an annoyed look.
"Harumi, how could you fall asleep to that lullaby?" Lydie questioned. "Because the last spider I faced was a giant one."
"Well sorry for liking spiders, Ms. Arachinophobe," Harumi said with a teasing smirk as Lydie gave a groan from that.
"Stop the boat." Lloyd said to his sister, which made Lydie quickly put on the brakes as he felt something below with the stick. "There's definitely rocks in the water. We need to find another-" He was cut off when his pole was taken and was dragged off. "What the heck?!" He called out as they looked at the pole behind, dragged around before being pulled beneath.
"Okay, that was definitely not a rock." Lydie commented in surprise and worry. "We're not alone out here." She noted before the boat started shaking, which made them all scream.
"What-What was that?!" Harumi cried out.
"I'm thinking what the earlier expedition ran into." Lloyd said. "Sis, start the engine. Go, go!" He called out as Lydie quickly started up the engine before a sea creature jumped out and back into the water. "Hurry!"
Lydie put the boat into overdrive as Harumi and Lloyd held on as Lyide steered the boat as Harumi stayed on the front while Lloyd ran to the back and saw something coming towards them. "What's in the water?!" Harumi cried out.
"It looks like some kind of Giant Crab!" Lydie answered.
"Whatever it is, it's gaining on us." Lloyd said as he turned to his sister. "Is this as fast as it can go, sis?!"
"It's already deep in the red ! It won't go any faster!" Lydie pointed out before the giant crab followed after them with its claw out as Harumi screamed. "We need to light the load. Dump everything overboard!"
Lloyd and Harumi quickly grabbed everything onboard and dumped it out to gain some speed while Lydie was still at the wheel as the giant crab got below them as they braced themselves before the crab's claw poked out, taking out the tip part of the boat as they tilted to a stop.
"What do we do?!" Harumi cried out before another claw came out from behind and destroyed the proller, causing them to be at drift as they stood in silent before the claw came out as Lloyd quickly took out his sword and tried to slash it, but the claw broke his sword as he tossed the handle away as the two claws came into view as Harumi screamed while the Garma-Twins faced it bravely.
But suddenly, the giant crab gave a frighten scream and swam away. "Why did it stop?" Harumi asked.
"Don't know." Lloyd answered. "It's like something kind of… scared him off." He guessed as Lydie looked behind them and saw how they were drifting away quickly. "We have to get to sure."
"The current's pushing us away." Lydie spoke up.
"What current?" Lloyd asked before they noticed the current pushing them as the boat was bumping into the rocks as Lydie tried to get control before Lloyd saw something ahead. "We need to go the other way." He said to them,
"The other way? That thing is back there." Harumi stated.
"Reverse! Reverse!" Lloyd called out as he pulled a rope as Lydie tried to pull the lever.
"Nothing is working!" Lydie called out.
"Grab onto something now!" Lloyd called out.
"Why?!" Harumi asked as she saw something that made her eyes widened. "Uh, oh."
Lydie then gave a dull look. "Don't tell me, we're about to go over a huge waterfall?" She asked dully
"Yep." Both Lloyd and Harumi said in a dull tone.
"Sharp rocks at the bottom?" Lydie asked.
"Most likely." Lloyd answered as Harumi nodded as Lydie looked ahead and saw they were about to go over.
"Bring it on." Lydie said in acceptance as they wrapped some ropes around them. "Hang onto something!" She called as they all went over. "BOOOYAAAAHHH! AAAAHHH!" She called out as Lloyd and Harumi screamed before they fell into the water.
Back on the Bounty, the Ninja managed to successfully bring the Bounty back online as they cheered as the Bounty moved a bit. "Thrusters?" Nya asked.
"70 percent." Zane answered.
"Systems?" Nya asked as she held the lever.
"She'll live." Kai answered with a smile. "Get us in the air." He said as Nya pulled the lever. "Wait, what about Pixal?"
"I said it already. She can take care of herself." Seliel assured them with a smile.
But when Nya looked at the monitor, she then noticed some red dots on the map of Ninjago beeping, which caught everyone's attention. "What's that?" Skylor asked.
"The trace program the computer was running to find the Watcher's location." Nya explained before the tracer turned to a certain location. "It's finished, but that's odd." She said with a frown. "It's said it originated from the Bounty."
"What?" Kai said in shock. "But that can't be."
"Yeah, that's impossible." Cole agreed.
"The only ones on the ship were us, Pixal, Lloyd, Lydie, and Harumi." Zane explained.
"Wait, when was the message sent?" Morro asked.
"4:30 pm," Nya read the time.
"Well, Kai and Jay were in the engine room, Skylor, Seliel and I were getting Wu settled in, you, Lloyd and Lydie were on the bridge, Cole, Demir and Rose were on deck, so that just leaves…" Morro trailed off as the others realized it too.
"Harumi?" Nya said in horror as the others gasped and looked at each other.
"No, no it can't be." Skylor said, shaking her head. "Harumi's always been one of us."
"Well, she did say that before Lloyd and Lydie found her, she wanted to get payback on us for not saving her parents during the Devourer attack." Jay said with a shrug.
"She also said she would do anything to see her parents again." Kai added.
"But there's no way." Nya told them. "Harumi has always helped us in the past. The Dark Island, Chen's Island and The Day of the Departed, and not only that but we've seen how she and Lloyd tend to hang out and obviously are in love with each other."
"And if Lloyd finds out his girl is our villain, he'll be crushed!" Demir stated.
"I'm sorry sis, but I don't think there's any point denying it." Kai said, putting a hand on Nya's shoulder. "Harumi is The Watcher."
"Th-There has to be some kind of mistake!" Nya told them frantically, "She, Harumi's our friend!" She defended. "She…. She….." She tried to say something before looking down in sadness and betrayal. "Rumi, how could you?"
"We have to warn Lloyd and Lydie! Now!" Morro called as he rushed up to the controls, but Ultra Violet used her sai to block him.
"Ah, ah, ah. I wouldn't do that if I were you." Ultra Violet said as the Sons of Garmadon gathered around as the Ninja put on their masks and got into a ready position. "The Watcher wouldn't allow that." She added as the Ninja then started fighting the Sons of Garmadon as Morro rushed around to protect Toddler Wu while the Ninja kept fighting them off as the Ninja seemed to have the edge.
But then, Enaz and Killow brought out the two Oni masks as they all laughed as they slowly put them on as the Ninja surrounded them. However none of them saw Morro subtly reaching for his phone and typing a message.
Somewhere with the Garma-Twins and Harumi, the boat floated up as the three resurfaced and coughed as they swam to shore before they flopped onto the ground while catching their breaths. "Well, that could've gone better." Lydie muttered.
"Yeah, no kidding." Harumi agreed as they stood up before Lloyd saw something ahead.
"Sis, Harumi, we made it." Lloyd said to them with a smile.
"Yeah, barely, bro." Lydie said while rubbing her head.
"No. I mean, we made it to the temple. Look." Lloyd said as he stood up and pointed ahead as the two girls turned and saw the Oni Temple behind the waterfalls they were from.
"Looks like that creature just gave us a shortcut." Harumi said with a smile. "And we've beaten The Sons of Garmadon here."
"Yeah. At least something came out from this. Now, we have a chance to get the third mask." Lydie said with a smile as the three looked at the temple. "Now, let's go get the Mask of Hatred." She said as they walked off while Lloyd and Harumi were ahead.
Just then, Lydie's phone started buzzing as she took it out and saw that it was from Morro as she quickly read it as Lydie's eyes widened in shock at what she read. "W-What? Harumi is…" She muttered as she looked at Harumi in shock and confliction. "T-That can't be possible."
But then Lydie remembered the words that Harumi said on the boat about the villain is always the one you least expect as she eyed Harumi suspiciously while also conflicted on whether or not she should listen to her head or her heart.
"Hey Lydie." Harumi's voice spoke up as Lydie saw her looking at her with a smile. "Are you coming?"
"U-Uh, on my way." Lydie said as she followed after them while giving a suspicious look at Harumi. "To make sure the third mask doesn't fall under the wrong hands."
But what Lydie didn't see was that she walked over a small object that was wet and destroyed on the ground before a boot stepped on it when the Garma-Twins and Harumi were at a distance on their way to the temple.
"At last. I have found it." A male voice spoke up. "The temple of the Last Oni mask, and they led me right to it." He added with glee in his tone as he watched the three go further into the temple.