The elevator dinged as it reached its floor, and the doors slid open. The six brightly coloured ninjas stepped into the elevator.
"What do you think this is about?" the black ninja asked, tapping the button for the top floor.
"I mean, he didn't call an emergency, so the chances are he has something he wants to show us," the white ninja responded, casually leaning against the railing.
"Zane's right," the green ninja turned around. "It didn't sound urgent when he called. I highly doubt it's too important."
"I bet it's a new invention he wants to show us," the blue ninja bounced on his feet.
"You always think that, Jay," the red one chuckled.
"But I'm not wrong," Jay retorted, matching the playful tone.
"I recall him retrieving the realm crystal recently," Zane said. "Perhaps it is something to do with that?"
"What if he brought someone from another realm?" Nya asked. "Someone we know, maybe?"
"Maybe he found the Never Realm and brought Kragg over," Cole's eyes lit up.
"We all know the crystal isn't powerful enough for that," Lloyd replied, although hopeful that was the case to see Akita again.
"It's always possible someone could have come through that we don't know," Kai pointed out.
"We shall see," Lloyd sighed as the elevator slowed, approaching the top floor.
All six turned as the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open. Cyrus Borg was sitting at his desk, a remote in his hand with a screwdriver in the other. He looked up as the door opened and smiled at the ninja.
"Ah, ninja," Cyrus greeted, dropping the remote and screwdriver in his lap and wheeling himself over. "Welcome, welcome."
"What's all this?" Jay asked, looking around in awe.
The room was scattered with journals, blueprints, tools, and parts. A control panel stood to the left. Pixal stood in front of it, tweaking wires.
"Well, I recently had a theory," Borg started. "We know the realm crystal can only reach so many realms from Ninjago."
"Probably for the best," Zane commented. "We don't know what else is out there."
"While that is the case, we could always learn and explore the other realms," Borg countered. "But to do so, we'd need to find a way to amplify the crystal's natural abilities and find a way to harness them."
"I'm guessing that's what this is for," Lloyd guessed, pointing at the portal stand.
"Good guess, it is," Borg nodded. "Except there is some sort of issue with it."
"You didn't release some evil on Ninjago?" Kai asked, tensing slightly.
"No, not at all," Borg shook his head, "I would have called this an emergency if that was the case."
"Then what's the problem?" Cole asked.
"Well, Pixal has tried entering the portal, but it's not working as expected," Borg hummed, staring at the stand.
"What happened?" Zane asked.
"It's more, what didn't happen," Pixal said.
The ninja all turned to her as she walked over to join them.
"I tried to step into the portal, but I ended up just walking out the other side like nothing happened," Pixal explained.
The ninja all exchanged looks, unsure of what even to say.
"We have since tried throwing items through the portal, and they go through without an issue," Borg continued. "So it's odd that Pixal can't get through."
"And you brought us here to see what happens if we go through?" Kai asked, looking unimpressed with the idea.
"Precisely," Borg grinned. "We don't know what could be on the other side, and whoever goes through should be ready to defend themselves."
"But wouldn't we be leaving Ninjago undefended?" Lloyd asked.
"I am here and ready to take action if needed," Pixal nodded.
"So, are you guys willing to try it?" Borg asked.
The ninja all looked at each other.
"I mean, I don't see why not," Lloyd spoke, looking between the others.
"It sounds like a fun adventure to me," Jay grinned.
"If it works," Kai nudged Jay with a smile.
"Fair," Jay chuckled.
"I'm in, I guess," Cole shrugged.
"Wait, if this did not work with Pixal, how do we know it will work with any of us?" Zane asked.
"That's the thing, we don't," Borg replied, rolling over to the control panel. "If you walk out the other side, we know it doesn't work with people and that we must alter some things."
"So, either we go to another realm, or we don't leave this one," Cole reiterated.
"More or less," Borg confirmed.
"How do we get back?" Nya asked.
"The portal should stay open wherever you land, so long as it's open here," Borg explained, tapping buttons on the control panel. "Like a gateway between realms in a way. So you should be able to pass right through whenever you want."
The ninja all nodded, watching the machine slowly whir to life. A blue-coloured portal slowly swirled around, growing bigger and bigger until the size of the stand.
"Any other questions?" Borg asked.
The ninja looked between each other for a moment, then shook their heads.
"Great," Borg nodded. "If something goes wrong, Pixal has all the details written down, and we will pull you back through as soon as we can."
"That's comforting," Kai mumbled.
"So, whenever you're ready," Borg motioned to the portal.
Kai smirked, then turned to Cole.
"Ladies first," he taunted.
"Fair enough," Cole smirked.
The earth ninja picked the fire ninja up, who yelped in surprise.
"Cole! Put me down!" Kai yelled.
"You said ladies first, ma'am," Cole laughed.
Cole then tossed Kai into the portal, and he disappeared. Only Cole lost his balance moments after and toppled through.
"Well, that's a good sign," Borg stared in awe.
"Me next!" Jay grinned, running into the portal.
Nya shook her head at her boyfriend's antics, quickly following behind. Lloyd and Zane were close behind her. Everyone disappeared into the portal, leaving Borg and Pixal alone in the room.
"It worked," Borg cheered, throwing his hands in the air.
As Borg cheered, both watched six people fall back out of the portal.
"Or, it almost did," Borg sighed, turning back and shutting the portal off.
"Are you guys alright?" Pixal asked, moving to help the closest ninja, Jay, up.
"I'm alright," Jay replied, taking her hand and standing. "But uh, who are you?"
Pixal was taken back and realized something was off. The Jay standing before her was not wearing his ninja gi. Instead, a pair of blue jeans, a grey T-shirt and a maroon jacket. His hair was much fluffier, and more freckles covered his face.
"Lloyd, are you alright?" Nya's voice called.
Pixal looked over, seeing Nya helping Lloyd's feet. The Nya had a bright blue streak in her hair and wore a dress, not her gi. And Lloyd looked more tan, and he looked significantly younger.
What freaked her out was the large scar across Lloyd's left eye.
"Where the fuck are we!?"
All eyes turned to Kai. Long hair in a ponytail, black jeans and a hoodie. He was looking around the room, clearly agitated, confused and scared.
"Kai, chill," Nya huffed.
Jay ran over to Kai, kneeling next to him.
"I got you," Jay hummed, helping Kai to his feet. "I'm sure these people can explain everything."
Kai gave Pixal and Borg a weary look, staying behind Jay and trying to keep his distance.
"They better," Cole huffed. "I'd love to know why they kidnapped us."
"Kidnapped?" Borg echoed, shocked.
"You forcefully took us from our homes," Cole elaborated. "We have no idea who you are or where we are, so I'd call it kidnapping. And when my mother hears about this, you'll be sorry."
"Your mother?" Borg recoiled, looking at Pixal in utter confusion.
"Look, we didn't kidnap you," Pixal interjected. "We were trying something, and it's messed stuff up. We'll open the portal, and you can return to wherever we pulled you from."
"This is a portal?" Jay awed, looking up at it.
"Yes," Borg sighed, realizing this Jay had the same energy.
"That's so cool," Jay beamed, running over to watch Borg on the control panel, despite Kai's disapproval. "What does all this do?"
Jay touched it and a shock ran through the machine. It started beeping before everything was completely dark. Cyrus looked confused. He tried tapping buttons to see if he could get a response.
"I believe he just short-circuited everything, Borg," Pixal sighed.
"Sorry," Jay peeped, backing away.
"It's alright," Borg sighed. "Pixal, can you take them to the monastery while I do the repairs?"
"I can help," Jay volunteered.
"I think you've helped enough," Pixal grumbled, guiding Jay to the group.
Jay huffed, clearly not impressed. He walked over to Kai, joining his friend with a smile.
"Whoa, I'm not going anywhere but back through there," Cole snapped.
"Well, you are more than welcome to wait, but this could take a while," Cyrus huffed.
"A while, as in?" Nya asked.
"A couple of days, maybe?" Cyrus sighed.
"Days?!" they all cried.
Except for one. Who, well-
"Zane?" Pixal gasped.
Everyone finally saw the other android and realized how beaten up he was.
"What are you?" Cole asked.
Pixal took him by the hand and ushered him to a workbench while the others watched in shock and confusion. She glared at Cole for the comment but turned her attention to Zane.
"That was rude," Nya turned to him.
"What did you want me to say?" Cole turned back to her, agitated.
"Oh, I don't know," Nya threw her arms in the air, "maybe, are you ok? Are you hurt? Something a normal person would say."
"I am normal, miss Trying-too-hard-to-be-edgy," Cole retorted.
"Excuse me; no one talks about my girl like that!" Lloyd snapped back.
"Oh, and what are you going to do about it, blindy?" Cole taunted.
Lloyd growled, clenching his fists in rage.
"Leave them alone!" Kai snapped.
"What are you going to do about it, emo?" Cole mocked.
"Kai," Jay warned. "Maybe let's not get into a fight."
"Listen to your boyfriend, Kai," Cole mocked.
"Oh, that does it."
Everyone watched Kai's hands light up as he stormed towards Cole. Cole's face showed instant regret upon seeing the flames surrounding the other's hands. Cyrus signalled to Pixal, and she ran to the phone to call for help.
"Whoa, chill," Cole threw his hands in the air.
"Then take it back!" Kai yelled.
"Fine, I take it back!" Cole yelled. "Just chill with the fire hands."
Kai shook the fire out and stepped back. Everyone else stared at Kai in shock and fear before he shrugged them off and moved back to Jay.
"Master Wu will be here momentarily," Pixal said, finally breaking the silence. "He will take them back to the monastery until we can get this sorted out."
"Master Wu?" Lloyd asked. "Like, my uncle?"
"Yes, Lloyd," Borg nodded.
"Come on, why do we have to go there," Lloyd groaned. "My uncle is so lame. He never lets me do anything fun. No video games or comics, and he always hated me talking about our expeditions."
"I think you'll be surprised," Pixal replied. "He loves when your mother talks about her expeditions. He's even joined her on a couple before."
"Your kidding, right?" Lloyd laughed. "Uncle Wu would never-"
"I would never what?"
All six teens screamed, jumped and turned to see Master Wu standing near the elevator, looking between them.
"Borg, care to explain?" he turned to the inventor.
"Long story short, your ninja agreed to help me test my portal," Borg explained. "They went through, and these guys came out. I tried to send them back, but the system is fried, so we are stuck with them until it's fixed."
"This is quite peculiar," Wu hummed, looking around at the teens. "My father has told me of the 16 realms, but not of any like this."
"Is it possible we accessed a parallel dimension?" Pixal asked from her workbench.
"It's possible," Wu nodded. "It seems like the most logical explanation for this situation."
"Ok, now that you guys have figured out what's happened, can we start making this portal so I can go home?" Cole huffed. "I have things to do and people to see."
"We've been over this," Borg groaned. "I will fix it, but it will take time. I can't just magically make it work."
"Unbelievable," Cole threw his hands in the air, starting to pace. "I just wanted to go to the market with Vania. Nothing more, and now I'm kidnapped in another world with a bunch of strangers. This is just great."
"We wouldn't be strangers if you'd stop being so dramatic!" Nya snapped.
"Oh, you're one to talk about being dramatic," Cole countered.
"And we wouldn't be having this conversation if you weren't so stuck up and spoiled," Nya growled, glaring at him.
"Oh, you think I'm spoiled," Cole growled.
"You'd know, your majesty," Nya mocked.
"You little-"
"Enough!" Wu snapped.
Both turned to him, going silent.
"I don't want to hear another word from either of you," Wu ordered. "Is that understood?"
Both nodded, staying silent. Wu turned to Kai and Jay, who were watching from where they stood near the elevator. Wu sighed, shaking his head.
"Borg, I'm going to go with them if that's alright," Pixal said. "I want to keep repairing Zane, and I think Wu could use the help."
"Agreed," Borg uttered.
"Now, all of you, to the bounty," Wu ordered. "I want no arguments."
Kai and Jay called the elevator as the rest walked over. Pixal quickly packed a toolkit, knowing she could use the one at the monastery, too, then guided Zane.
"I'll let you know as soon as it's repaired, and we can send them back," Borg called. "Hopefully, before these guys tear each other apart."
"Keep us updated," Wu called, stepping into the elevator with the others.
The elevator door slid shut, leaving the eight in awkward and uncomfortable silence. Luckily, the ride wasn't long, and the group quickly filed into the lobby and out to the street where the Bounty was parked and waiting.
"Is that a flying ship?" Jay gasped. "Is that what we're taking?"
Wu sighed, "Yes, Jay."
"That's sick! Come on, Kai! I wanna check it out!" Jay cried.
He grabbed the brunette's hand and dragged him towards the plank before he could reply. Kai kept yelling for him to slow down as he stumbled behind him. Nya and Lloyd exchanged confused looks.
"Have you ever seen your brother act this way with anyone?" Lloyd asked her.
"Nope," Nya shook her head. "Mom will be happy to know he has a friend, but it's still weird."
The two followed them onto the Bounty, with Cole reluctantly following. Pixal turned to Wu.
"How are we going to manage this?" she asked. "Like, I know the ninja were teens, but they were also well disciplined. These guys are just-"
"They're teens," Wu sighed. "We'll make do until we can get the ninja back. I hope they aren't getting into trouble wherever they are."
"Let's be honest, Wu," Pixal sighed. "Trouble tends to go looking for them."
"I'd rather not think about it," Wu shook his head, walking towards the Bounty.