"And breakfast is served."
The four ninjas, along with Sensei Wu, sat around the table as Garmadon placed a platter of pancakes in the middle before taking his seat at the end of the table. The teens didn't need any encouragement as they started fighting over the pancakes.
As they finally settled and started to eat, Wu spoke up.
"So, you four are part of a team of ninjas?"
Lloyd hummed and nodded. He quickly swallowed his food, turning to Wu, "It was originally Kai, Jay, Cole and Zane, but then I joined as the green ninja, and Nya joined later as the water ninja."
"And all of you have elemental powers?" Garmadon commented.
"Yeah," Kai nodded, his mouth full of food and bits of pancake flying everywhere.
"Kai, come on, dude," Jay grumbled, sitting beside Kai. He sheltered his plate with a look of disgust while Kai just shrugged.
"You four are Fire, Water, Lightning and Energy?" Wu asked. "The same as our Kai, Nya and Lloyd? Plus you, Jay."
"Thanks," Jay grumbled.
"Yeah," Lloyd nodded. "Zane and Cole are the masters of Ice and Earth."
"Earth?" Garmadon mumbled, looking at Wu with worry. His brother's expression matched his, but the ninja didn't notice.
"Well, considering that we never formed the ninja team, the others are probably living their lives as if Wu never found them," Nya commented. "Meaning, Cole's probably with his parents still. And Zane is probably somewhere near Birchwood Forest."
"Yeah, he said he wandered between villages for a while before Wu found him," Jay nodded. "So we don't exactly know where, but we would have a vague idea."
"So Cole would be a better option to go after first," Kai pushed, "we know where to find him, or at least have a better idea of where to find him. Then we can split up and look for Zane after."
"That makes sense," Lloyd nodded. "So, that's the plan then. We'll go get Cole, then go find Zane."
The other three teens nodded, unaware of the silent conversation happening between the Senseis. The four jumped up, bringing their plates to the sink and rushing to get ready. Garmadon watched them leave, then turned to Wu.
"You don't think she took him with her?" Garmadon asked.
"I do, I'm afraid," Wu sighed. "I don't want to break their hopes, but we should prepare for a battle."
Garmadon nodded, getting to his feet. He left the dining room, leaving Wu to think and plan for the dark future approaching them.
The ninja quickly prepared for their travels, hopped in Garmadon's car, and headed for Ninjago City.
The ninja spent the entire car ride talking about the day before, joking that Lloyd and Nya were on a date, much to Jay's disapproval. The topic quickly shifted to how Jay and Kai were in a theatre. Lloyd kept joking that Cole would be mocking them if he was there, especially since he was into dance and singing because of his father.
The car pulled up to the Brookstone residence, stopping before the engine. Everyone piled out of the car, regrouping between the car and the house. The house looked the same as when they first visited the house. There was no damage from battles or fights, which showed how peaceful this world was.
"I hope he's here," Jay mumbled.
"Don't we all," Nya replied. "We don't have anything else to go off."
The four ninjas approached the house, ready to knock and hoping Cole was there.
Garmadon wasn't as confident. He knew about Cole's mother and how she left suddenly. And with what these four had told him, if Cole were here, he would have come to find the others by now. He hoped his fear wouldn't be true, but that ebbing feeling told him it was.
Lloyd glanced back, seeing his father staring blankly at the house. He paused, turning to his father.
"Hey, Dad, you okay?"
Garmadon hummed, looking over to his son. "Yes, everything is fine."
"You sure?"
"Of course," Garmadon nodded, starting to walk over. "Just a little tired, Lloyd; nothing to worry about."
Lloyd nodded, shrugging it off. He felt his dad was keeping something from him, but he wouldn't force it out.
They arrived on the doorstep, hearing three voices chatting inside.
"Should we knock or use the bell?" Nya asked.
"The bell! Trust me. He might slam the door in your face!" Kai responded quickly, with Jay nodding aggressively in the background.
Nya looked confused as she rang the doorbell. A harmonized "Welcome" sang out around them.
"Just a moment!" a voice called from inside.
The ninja recognized Lou's voice. They were hoping that the other two voices were Cole and his mom. Garmadon was praying it wasn't.
The door opened to Lou. He scanned the group, confused.
"We don't do autographs, and I'm not up for solicitors," Lou spoke, about to close the door.
"Wait," Lloyd spoke up.
"I said I'm not interested."
"We are looking for Cole."
Lou froze, his eyes locked on the blond in confusion and anger.
"How do you know Cole?"
The ninja exchanged confused looks before Kai spoke up.
"We're his friends."
"Now I know you're lying," Lou frowned, pulling open the door to look at the entire group. "If you're Cole's friend, you wouldn't be looking for him here. Get lost."
Garmadon's stomach sank. That means he's with her-
"But we are his friends. It's a long story," Jay spoke up. "If you let us explain, you'll understand."
"I'm not talking to you guys anymore. I have better things to do than deal with you brats."
"Jay?" a voice called from inside.
All eyes moved to Jay as he stared, confused. A lady came into view with bright blonde hair. Her eyes lit up once they landed on Jay.
"It is you. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at rehearsal?"
"Huh?" Jay paused, looking her up and down. She doesn't look familiar. How does she know him?
"And what did you do to your hair? It's nothing bad; it's just different. I kinda like it. Are these friends from rehearsal? Did you come to see Lou for vocal lessons?"
"If that's the case, you've got to tell me when you're bringing guests and tell them not to prank me like that," Lou frowned.
"I think we have a bit of a misunderstanding here," Garmadon walked in. "Jay, I believe this is your mother."
Jay looked from Garmadon to the lady, beginning to see it and understand. She looked confused.
"Of course, I'm his mother. He already knows that? Sensei Garmadon, what's going on here?"
"If you'd let us, I'm sure they'd be willing to explain everything."
"Lyn honey, is everything okay?" Cliff Gordon appeared behind the two already in the doorway.
Cliff started looking at the group outside, trying to understand the situation. His eyes landed on Jay, then turned to Lloyd.
"So, is someone going to explain what's going on?" Cliff asked, looking around in confusion.
Lloyd cleared his throat, composing himself. "Right- sorry. Long story."
"One I'm hoping you have time for!" Garmadon added in quickly, knowing Lou's habit of shutting people out.
"I mean, we are just having tea. A few more guests wouldn't hurt, right?" Lyn turned to Lou.
Lou sighed in irritation, "Fine, sure, whatever."
Lou stormed back into the house. Lyn and Cliff invited the group to the living room. Jay sat with his parents on one of the couches. Kai sat on the other couch close to Jay. Lloyd and Nya sat on the floor.
"So, what's going on?" Lyn asked.
"To keep it simple, we are from another realm," Lloyd said.
"Oh," Cliff said simply. "Well, that explains a lot."
"Like how Jay didn't know me." Lyn added, "Am I dead in your realm or something?"
"Uh," Jay turned, looking to the others for help. When no one moved to say anything, he answered. "I honestly have no idea. Ed and Edna Walker raised me."
Cliff and Lyn looked at each other.
"I always thought they were my parents until they told me a few years ago," Jay added.
"Ed and Edna? They passed away when you were about five years old." Cliff spoke.
"But you always saw them as your grandparents when you saw them," Lyn smiled.
Jay's expression saddened as he nodded.
The room was quiet for a moment as Jay processed this. Garmadon looked around at the four ninjas.
"So," Lyn broke the silence. "I'm guessing you all have elemental powers?"
The others looked up and nodded.
"Well, I recognize Lloyd over there, although you don't have your scar," Lyn commented.
"My what?"
"And Nya, I like the haircut, nice and simple. But I miss the blue streak."
"Blue streak?"
"And Kai! I love the new hairstyle! Glad you're over your emo phase!"
"What?!"
Lloyd started laughing, and Nya was fussing with her hair. Jay was trying to contain himself while watching the others, especially Kai, try to figure out what the Gordons were talking about.
"Kai's emo?!" Lloyd gasped out between laughs.
"Shut up!" Kai turned to the blond, "Like you weren't edgy when you were younger."
"Uncalled for," Lloyd retorted, finally gaining control of his laughing.
"He's not wrong tho," Nya smirked.
"Do you guys have pictures?" Jay whispered to his mom, trying to remain unnoticed by the other three on his team.
Lyn nodded, pulling out her phone. She opened her photos and scrolled momentarily before finding a picture of Jay and Kai together. Lyn handed the phone to him so Jay could get a better look.
"Oh my, this is amazing!" Jay grinned.
"Do you have a picture!?" Nya turned to him.
Jay turned the phone so Nya and Lloyd could see it. Nya's eyes lit up, reaching to take the phone to get a closer look. Jay handed it to her, watching her grinning as Lloyd snickered next to her.
"He's emo, alright," Lloyd snickered.
"No fair, I wanna see," Kai groaned.
Nya turned the phone so Kai could see. Everyone watched his face go from surprised to confused to offended in seconds.
"What did he do to my hair!?" Kai cried.
Nya and Lloyd laughed, and Jay chuckled as Kai stressed over his hair.
That's when Lou walked in, interrupting the cheerful atmosphere. "And what does all this have to do with my son?"
All attention shifted to Lou, who stood in the doorway. His arms were crossed with a scowl as he waited for an answer.
"Well, Cole's our friend," Kai spoke up.
"How is that possible?"
"I think you missed the 'we aren't from this world' part of the conversation," Jay chimed in.
Lou glared at him for the insensitively worded comment.
"In our world, Cole's our friend and a part of our team," Lloyd continued. "We need to find him and get the team back together so we can find our way home."
"Well, you aren't looking in the right place," Lou scowled.
"What do you mean?" Lloyd asked.
"Is he at a school somewhere?" Jay asked.
"Did he run away again?" Kai asked.
"He did not run away," Lou glared at Kai. "His mother ripped him away from me a long time ago."
"So he's with Lilly," Lloyd mumbled.
"Don't use that name in this household." Lou snapped.
All four ninjas flinched at Lou's volume and tone. That was a sensitive subject, and they didn't want to repeat it.
Garmadon nodded quietly to himself and headed out to the other room. He pulled out his phone, dialling the Monastery number. The phone rang a few times before Wu answered.
"He's not here, Wu," Garmadon mumbled.
"Is he with her?" Wu asked.
"Unfortunately, it's looking that way," Garmadon sighed.
"Alright," Wu sighed. "Bring them back here. They said they are trained, but I want to test their skills."
"Fair enough," Garmadon sighed. "We've dealt with her before."
"Yeah, but that was before she had a possible hostage," Wu agreed. "Bring the ninja back, and we will test their skills before creating a plan."
"Agreed," Garmadon sighed. "I'll get them back to the Monastery soon. I want to make a stop in the City first."
"Chen?"
"Yeah. I think he can help."
"Fair enough. I'll have everything ready for when you return."
Garmadon hung up the phone, sighing in defeat. He knew this wouldn't be easy. Based on the teens, he also knew they would be stubborn and try to do this with or without his help.
"Dad?"
Garmadon turned, seeing Lloyd in the doorway. He turned away, hoping Lloyd didn't hear the conversation.
"How much did you hear?" Garmadon asked.
"Enough," Lloyd mumbled.
Both remained silent for a moment, avoiding eye contact.
"Is Cole in danger?" Lloyd asked.
"It's hard to say," Garmadon sighed.
"But you said you've dealt with his mom before," Lloyd frowned. "And it sounded like you meant it negatively."
Garmadon sighed. "I will explain everything in time. Right now, we should get moving. We need to make another stop before returning to the Monastery."
Lloyd sighed, nodding. He turned and walked back into the main room, Garmadon following.