"Is he Raven's dad?" Jay asked, while Raven, King Terrin, and the Viporeons walked towards them.
"Yes, he's her father, and you shall address him respectfully. He is the King after all," Flare said.
When Raven and King Terrin stood before the ninja, Christa walked next to Raven and cleared her throat before speaking,
"Presenting his royal highness of all the Viporeons, and ruler of Fountain Falls, the one and only, King Terrin."
The ninja stood staring at King Terrin in amazement and wonder. His blues eyes seemed to glow more vibrant now that he was in the light of the crystals that shined brilliantly at that time of day. Flare smacked the five ninja over the heads, and gestered to bow before the king. The boys saw that even Sensei Wu, Garmadon, Misako, Nya, and Dr. Julien had bowed their heads before the king, as well as Flare, Christa, and Auria. They then bowed their heads in respect, which made Terrin chuckle at their silliness.
"So, these are the ninja warriors and their allies I've heard so much about. It's nice to finally meet them in person," Terrin said.
"Yes, and it is an honor to be in your presence as well your majesty. We offer you our service," Sensei Wu said.
King Terrin nodded in approval and said, "That is much appreciated, thank you."
As Terrin said this, Jay, Cole, Kai, Zane, and Lloyd noticed the serpentine who stood about five feet away. They were amazed by them since that was the first time they saw them clearly, but they were on guard since their last encounter didn't go so well. The large snake, Anaca the Anacondrai, turned her attention towards the ninja when she noticed they were watching them. She was able to get eye contact with Lloyd, and she smiled towards him. Lloyd was surprised, but then he smiled back a little akwardly, which made Anaca chuckle. Raven noticed this and she chuckled as well at Lloyd's reaction.
Then Terrin gestured towards the castle tower and said, "Come friends, let's talk in the conference room."
Everyone agreed and they followed King Terrin into the castle.
Everyone was able to take a seat, as Terrin spoke. He told them that he just learned from an informant that Silva plans to rule the smaller, weaker villages before hitting the larger, stronger ones like Ninjago city, Aeroplane, and etc. He told them that after an incident that occured with his wife, the villagers became afraid and were torn apart from their relationships with other villages. Then, when he was asked about his wife, Terrin answered,
"Through investigation, I was able to piece together what happened that night... my wife found a thief trying to steal from our archives. She fought with the perpetrator, but then she ended up being sealed in a crystal prison by that perpetrator. The crystal prison is similar to freezing a person, but crystal doesn't melt, and the prison is too strong, she won't be able to break out herself... I tried all I could to break her out, but I haven't been successful... This technique was classified as forbidden, and the scroll was broken into pieces and scattered among the lands so that no one would be able to use it again or find it. However, someone must have found the pieces, merged them together, and learned the jitzu."
"So it's a different type of jitzu? Like spinjitzu?" Kai asked.
Terrin replied, "Your spinjitzu and this crystal-jitzu are actually not so similar. The crystal-jitzu is for one use at a time, and it takes a toll on the user. That's why it's forbidden. The scroll wasn't destroyed because the scroll has the counteracting formula written inside, because it wasn't confirmed if someone else already learned the jitzu... I assume the one who used this jitzu may be in-hiding until they can recover from using it, but I'm concerned because this person may return, and who knows what other damage they can cause..."
"Do you think Silva is responsible?" Zane asked, and Terrin answered,
"No. I don't think so, but I have no leads... It might be Silva, it might not. But I do know this: Whoever that thief was, they gave one heck of a fight. Reine is very powerful and skillful, so for that thief to fight her, seal her, and then escape... They've got skills, but..."
Terrin stood silent for a moment, and then Garmadon asked,
"But what, Your highness?"
After a moment, Terrin replied, "The markings and damage on the library look pretty familiar, and by what Raven told me, Silva wouldn't cause that kind of damage, or that much..."
After a moment of silence, Auria said, "Your majesty, I think it would be safe to conclude that whoever froze Sensei Reine, only Sensei Reine herself would know the thief's identity."
Terrin nodded and said, "Yes. That's why it is imperative that we free her immediately. I have gotten close, but I still can't figure out what I'm missing."
Then Dr. Julien stood up and said, "Well your highness, if you don't mind, I would like to assist you in helping free the Queen from that crystal prison. I know a lot about science and the works, so I may be able to help"
Then Misako stood up and said, "I would like to help as well your highness. I have traveled a long distance around the world, and I know about certain things that may prove useful."
Then Sensei Wu, Garmadon, Nya, the five ninja, and the three kunoichi stood up one after the other.
"King Terrin," Sensei Wu said and continued, "We will all assist you in your efforts to free the Queen from the crystal prison, and to find the user of the crystal-jitzu. We'll also fight to protect the Viporeons, yourself, and particularly Raven in this case. You have our support and friendship."
Terrin was surprised by the determination and loyalty of the people before him. Then, he smiled in relief and happiness, something he hasn't done in a long time, excluding when Raven came home.
He nodded and said, "Thank you, all of you."
Raven, who was standing next to her father, also smiled in joy from everyone's dedication, and because of how happy her father became. She turned towards Lloyd, who nodded in her direction, which made her nod back.
Afterward, Terrin excused Raven and himself from the conference room because he wanted to speak to her alone for a moment. Everyone else in the conference room stood up from their seats to stretch out. Then the five ninja were asked by Sensei Wu to befriend the Viporeons, which wasn't something they looked forward to [You know, since they are use to fighting Serpentine, and their last encounter with the Viporeons was through a battle.].
"But Sensei, the last time we met the Viporeons it didn't go so well," Jay said, as he shook his head.
"If we're going to be working with King Terrin and the other kingdoms, we have to be respectful of their leaders as well as their followers. I know we haven't seen eye to eye with the Serpentine before, and we haven't had a better chance with the Viporeons either, but we have to do what's necessary to ensure the safety of our world. Even if it may feel uncomfortable," Sensei said, as he stroked his beard.
"Wu is right," Misako said and continued, "It's best for us to at least get along with the Viporeons."
"Yeah, you wouldn't want to get on their 'bad' side." The ninja turned and saw Flare, Christa, and Auria standing together, looking at them.
"They can get pretty hostile when angered," Christa said.
"What do you mean?" Nya asked, and Auria replied,
"You wouldn't want to know."
"Wouldn't want to know what?"
All the ninja turned, and saw that Anaca had spoken. The other Viporeon generals were with her too.
"Well, well, the ninja who ssssaved Ninjago from peril," Serpana said.
"What a pleasssure to meet all of you. In better sssircumssstances of courssse," Vena said.
The ninja were a bit nervous, but then Misako stood forward, with an outstretched hand, and said,
"Well it is a pleasure to meet all of you at last. I am Misako."
"Yesss/We recognize/You/We're ssssorry about our/behavior from before," Fajra(FIE-ra) said, as she shook Misako's hand.
"It's quite alright," Misako said as she released Fajra's hand.
"Yesss pleasssure to see you all, and... hey, your that icce ninja from the roof," Carrie the Constrictai said, as she gestured towards Zane.
"Oh, um, yes, and you were the Constrictai I fought with," Zane said, as he became a bit nervous, since Carrie moved closer towards him with unknown intent.
Then Carrie pat Zane on the shoulder and said, "I ssssaw how you helped sssave Raven from that nassty fall. I informed the othersss of your ssserviccce. We all really appreciate your heroic effortsss to pressserve Raven's life, and the other ninja too Thank you."
The other snakes, as well as Carrie, each made a bowing gesture towards the ninja, especially Zane. The ninja crew looked at one other and they each smiled.
Then Sensei Wu said, "We are always willing to help anyone in need, and we also thank you for letting us be able to help and spend time with Princess Raven."
The Viporeons nodded, and Anaca said,
"Yesss, after realizing your intentionsss would have been as good as oursss, we decided to let Raven sssstay with you, and I can sssee that that wass the right choice ssince she is back home sssafe and sssound."
As the Ninja and Viporeons conversed, King Terrin and Raven had returned from a short discussion they had.
"Everyone," King Terrin called out from the stairway.
The Ninja crew and Viporeons turned towards the King as he spoke,
"Alright, my fellow ssserpents, if you would be so kind as to show the Ninja where they will be ssstaying. Also, if you wish, you may explore the city. I grant you all permissssion to go where you wish, except above the floor we are in now, unlessss authorized. Oh, and thank you again for your effortsss and sssupport."
After the King finished, he started heading up the stairway, while Raven started walking over to the Ninja and Viporeons.
"So we can go anywhere we want now?!" Jay asked, with enthusiasm since he had been wanting to look around (You know, to see what technology was there and what he could make).
"Firsst we will show you where you will be sssstaying. Then you may begin your exxcavation," Anaca said as she lead everyone outside.
The building where the ninja crew would be staying was behind the castle towers in an elongated, rectangular building that was elevated about ten feet with a stairway to climb up. There were actually two buildings like this that stood next to each other, one for males and the other for females. The entrance was through the shorter width-ed side and there were blue windows with white curtains on the inside, but if you look out the window, the outside wouldn't look blue.
Upon entering, it was like a long and very wide hallway with doors on each side. Also, when entering a room, there were two windows on the opposite wall and two beds under the windows. There were two brown lampstands at the outside of each bed, and there was a closet on the right, and a bathroom on the left. The whole room was beige with a white line across the room, a white ceiling, and a light brown rug. The hallway was also all white with a beige line across it, and brown doors with golden doors knobs.
Each person shared a room with one other person like so: Raven and Auria, Flare and Nya, Christa and Misako, Kai and Jay, Zane and Cole, Sensei Wu and Dr. Julien, and Garmadon and Lloyd.
"Great, we know where we're staying now, that's good. Now let's go see the city," Jay said as he ran outside.
"Why isss he so excited to walk outside, and then end up coming back becaussse he hassss no idea where he'sss going?" Carrie asked Kai.
Kai replied, "Eh, I don't know, that's just Jay for ya."
Carrie nodded, and then Jay ended up coming back in the guest house, and said,
"Um, yeah, I have no idea where I'm going."
Kai and Carrie looked at one another and started laughing while Jay was asking them what was so funny. Then Raven ran in front of everyone and yelled out with her hands up in the air,
"Come on guys! I'll give you all a tour of my homeland!"
Raven lead the Ninja crew near the edge of the city, and then she showed them a trail that led up towards the cave walls and that continued around the cave, spiraling upward. You can see the whole city all around when following the trail. Raven was showing everyone the city while pointing and explaining about certain places.
"Ok, you see the towers there with the water that's moving downward. If you look carefully, some of those waterfalls are actually moving upward, which is why there is a continuous water flow on the towers that doesn't flood the city," Raven said.
"I didn't notice that the water moved upward like that," Nya said.
"Oh man that's cool," Jay commented.
"Amazing," Misako also commented.
Raven continued, "Yes, those towers are part of the castle, if you go up to the third floor, you can actually enter the towers. The third floor room is like a round hallway with different entrances to each tower as is the fourth and fifth floor."
"What's at the top floor, if you don't mind me asking?" Cole asked, and Raven replied,
"That's where my family and myself live."
"What about the towers, what's in them?" Kai asked, and Raven answered,
"Each tower is where the Viporeon leaders live. They each take residents in one of the towers. You see, the rest of the Viporeons guard the city and cave. Meanwhile their leaders oversee the city, lead the Viporeons, and protect my family including myself within the tower."
"Oohh... cool," Jay said, as everyone continued walking around the cave walls.
Raven showed everyone that there was a study hall based on gem crafting and crystal study. There was also a center for arts, some music, and poison control. There was a library of the history of the Viporeons, Ninjago, Volcanic lands, etc. There was a department of water-related vehicles being established that had land vehicles too. There was one area with an arena where the Viporeons would fight in tournaments for fun, and to settle disputes with other Viporeons, if any. Also, there was that forest area in the second part of the cave, where you could walk from the city streets right into that place. This forest was almost as big as the city, maybe a little bigger. In the center was a lake, and at different locations were little fountains. After showing this last area, Raven lead everyone back to the city, and from there everyone decided to disperse to different locations for a close-up perspective of what Raven had showed them.
As the day passed to night, the lights of the crystals in the cave dimmed to signal that the sun had set outside. All the Viporeons returned to their respective homes, and the Ninja Crew decided to turn in for the night. Terrin went into the castle, while Raven went with the others to the guest rooms.
The boys went to their rooms, while the girls went to their rooms.
"Ah man, we can finally rest," Kai said, as he stretched his arms up and threw himself on his bed.
"Yeah man, this place is amazing!" Jay said, as he pulled his covers over himself.
"Yeah. I can't wait to see the arena. Carrie said she would show me some moves," Kai said, as he pulled his covers over himself.
"Heh, are you sure Flare wouldn't mind?" Jay asked, slyly.
Kai asked, suspiciously, "Why would she?"
"Well," Jay sat up and continued, "I mean, you wouldn't want to make your girlfriend jealous if your hanging out with someone else."
Kai immediately sat up and looked at Jay, appalled.
"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND! What are you talking about?!" Kai yelled out.
Jay picked up his hands defensively, "Woah man, just calm down. I was joking. Ha Ha."
Kai took one last look at Jay before laying back down, slowly.
Then Jay laid down, and said,
"Heh heh. Night Kai."
"Night Jay," Kai said, as he faced the opposite way of Jay, and thought,
'Flare as my girlfriend... AS IF!She's stubborn, arrogant, harsh... sincere, compassionate, hot-Woah ho ho ho! What am I thinking?! Flare is...! Flare is...Aaaahhh!'
Kai tried to fall asleep by putting his pillow on his face, while Jay noticed and was holding back his laugh.
"So Nya," Flare said, as she pulled the covers over herself.
"What?" Nya asked, while laying down.
"How long have you and Jay been together?" Nya blushed, while Flare smirked.
"Well, we've been going out for a while now," Nya said and added, "Especially after defeating the Overlord and such. We've been trying to rebuild some of Ninjago City and clean up the mess, which gave us time to spend together and go out on dates."
"Ah, I see," Flare said and continued, "and theeeen the Viporeons showed up."
Nya nodded. Then Flare said,
"You love each other, right?"
Nya again nodded.
"Hm... it's nice to have that relationship with someone," Flare said, as she turned over.
Nya found that odd.
"Flare. Do you have that relationship with someone?" Nya asked.
Flare thought about it, and then she sat up and said, "Well no, and I don't plan on having one! It's irrelevant to my life."
"Whether it's irrelevant or not, isn't having someone you love and that one who loves you more important?" Nya asked.
Then Flare said, "Well... I have no interest in anyone anyway okay? That's it!"
Flare laid back down, quick. Nya found that even more odd. Then something clicked in Nya's mind, and she smiled while laying down, and said,
"Ok Flare. -sign- I wonder how Kai is doing now? Especially sharing a room with Jay, I wonder if he's getting much sleep."
Nya peeked over at Flare, who was staring at the ceiling. and she saw her face soften with a little smile. Nya also smiled, but then straightened her face and looked away when Flare looked in her direction. Then Flare turned over to sleep, while Nya did the same.
"Lloyd," Garmadon called his son, as they were getting ready to sleep.
"Yeah dad?" Lloyd replied, as he sat on his bed.
"I was wondering how you've been doing? It's been awhile since we've been alone to talk," Garmadon asked.
"Oh, well, I've been good, I guess, besides this whole situation with Silva, Ryan, and their minions trying to kidnap Raven and attack us," Lloyd said with a shrug.
"Ha ha, yes, things have been very eventful recently. But we should be used to that though," Garmadon said.
"Yeah, heh heh," Lloyd said.
Then Garmadon thought about something, which Lloyd saw that his father looked 'lost in thought.'
"Uh, Dad, are you okay? Is there something on your mind?" Lloyd asked.
"Lloyd... what do you think of the girls?" Garmadon asked.
Lloyd was a little surprised by Garmadon's question, but he answered,
"Well, heh, the girls are pretty fun to be around. Flare was pretty tough, but she's funny to hang around, expecially when dealing with Kai. Christa's pretty funny too, and I didn't realize that she likes to box so that's cool. Auria is serious, but she's cool, and funny when she wants to be. And Raven, she's just... so different. Like, I can't explain it dad. She's... unique... and kind, but she's tough too... I'm not sure how to say-"
"She is full of kindness and gentleness like a sakura blossom, and strength that can also fill your heart with passion like a gladioli," Garmadon said, as Lloyd looked at his father in surprise.
"Dad... how did you know?" Lloyd asked, still shocked by how accurate his father's words were.
"Because... that's how I think of your mother," Garmadon said, as he looked towards Lloyd.
Lloyd eyes widened at this realization, as Garmadon smiled at him and said,
"Well. It's best we get some rest, shall we?"
Lloyd snapped out of his thoughts and said, "Oh. Uh, yeah. Let's get some sleep."
Lloyd laid on his bed, and pulled the covers over himself, as his father did the same. Just when Lloyd closed his eyes, he heard his father whisper,
"Stay close to her Lloyd. Don't do what I did..."
"I won't dad... I promise," Lloyd whispered, as Garmadon smiled.
With that said, they both fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, as the Ninja Crew slept, the Viporeons were taking shifts in guarding Fountain Falls to ensure everyone's safety. However, a certain hooded person was able to slip right through security. He was able to teleport across the city, between each shadow that the buildings cast. The Viporeons were unable to detect him, since he teleported quick and silently.
Eventually, he made it to the buildings where the Ninja Crew were sleeping in. He was able to concentrate for a moment, and sense that everyone was asleep by their heart beats.
'There,' He thought, when he recognized Raven's power element. He teleported to the window outside of the room, and he was able to unlock it with his some telekinetic power. He slipped into the room and looked left to see that Auria had her back towards him. Then he looked right and saw that Raven was asleep on her back. He walked over to Raven, and he picked her up gently.
'Time to go Raven. Sorry about this,' He thought.
As Ryan turned to the window. He stopped in his tracks, as his eyes widened, when he saw Auria holding her fan out towards him.
"Don't take another step," Auria said in a deep, and more sullen voice.
Ryan stood still for a moment, and then he said,
"So you were up."
Auria nodded, and then Raven opened her eyes and looked up at Ryan.
"We both are," Raven said, as she pulled out of Ryan's grasp.
Then she jumped away from Ryan, and stood behind Auria.
"What are Silva's true intentions with Raven and why are you assisting her?" Auria asked.
After a moment of silence, Ryan looked up at both girls with his glowing red eyes and said,
"I can't disclose that information because I'm not sure, but the reason why I am helping Silva is because..."
After another moment of silence, Ryan smirked and said,
"Silva is my mother."
Oh! Ryan's mom is Silva! Though, I wonder if some of you figured that out already? ;)