The Lion Girl of the Merged Realm
Chapter 11: The Merge Part 2
Everyone sat amazed that they were being rescued by Arin's childhood hero.
Arin: Lloyd, the Green Ninja! Yes! I knew you were still out there!
Lucilia: (Seeing the strange wolf) Is that a wolf?
The Green Ninja smiled at the question and the white wolf with red-tipped tails transformed into a human girl wearing wolf clothing. This was Akita the Formling.
Akita: Lloyd, focus!
Lloyd: Right! Where's the ninja I saw? The one doing Spinjitzu on the bridge.
Everyone looked at Arin, knowing it was going to be an interesting explanation.
Sora: (Smiles) Actually, (Gestures to her best friend) that was Arin here.
Arin: (With Lloyd surprised by the information) And even though I might pass out right now, 'cause you actually thought I was a real ninja, I'm not even close.
Akita: (Looking behind him) Lloyd, watch out!
A Claw Hunter snuck up and knocked Lloyd into the prison car.
Lloyd: Akita, stay up there and stand guard!
Lloyd began to fight the guard in front of the group. Everyone was impressed.
Lucilia: Awesome.
Razar: He certainly has the moves, yes?
Sora: I kinda get your ninja fandom now.
Lloyd: (Holding the Claw back) Hold up your cuffs!
One by one, Lloyd redirected the Claw's sword swings to perfectly and safely destroy the handcuffs.
Lloyd: (Grabs the Claw by his shoulder) Thanks for your help. Enjoy your nap.
Lloyd, then, threw the Claw Hunter into a wall, rendering him unconscious as he slid down. Lucilia laughed at strength display.
Lloyd: Thanks for your help. (To Arin) That is my mask, right?
Lucilia: Don't smell it.
Arin: (As Lloyd raised an eyebrow) I-I found it when you disappeared. (Walks over and gives it to Lloyd. I was there when the Merge happened. (Lloyd takes his mask and inspects it) You rescued me, I kept…
Lloyd cut Arin off after taking a whiff of his mask.
Lloyd: (Coughing) When did you last wash this?
Lucilia: I warned ya.
Arin: (Surprised) You can wash them?
Lucilia: (Deadpan) You didn't know?
Sora facepalmed at his mistake while Razar shook his head and clicked his tongue in disapproval. Lloyd pocketed his dirty mask when he noticed Zane's old mask wrapped around Lucilia's neck like a scarf.
Lloyd: That's my friend, Zane's mask. Where'd you get that?
Lucilia: Arn gave it to me. Don't worry, I wash mine.
Akita: Uh Lloyd, interesting as this is we should probably be leaving!
Lloyd: I'm right behind you, Akita! (To the freed prisoners) Come on, I'll give you all a boost.
Arin: (Smiling) No need. (Bringing out his grappling hook, fires it at the opening, and glides out) Whoo!
Lloyd looked in surprised while Sora laughed, as Monkey Wretch climbed onto her shoulder.
Sora: (Placing her hands on her hips) Show-off.
Lucilia skillfully climbed out of the car.
Razar: (Seeing Lloyd's face) Pays to have been raised by Lions, my friend.
Sora, Razar, and Lloyd soon followed while the others helped them out.
Arin: What do we do now, Master Lloyd?
Lloyd: I'm no master. I'm just Lloyd. And to answer your question, we jump.
Akita: Right now!
Sora: No! We can't leave the dragon!
Lucilia: Or Lokai!
Razar: We mustn't leave my Legend Beast behind either!
Lloyd: There's a dragon here and what's a Legend Beast?
Before anyone could answer, Rapton came with more guards.
Rapton: No one escapes from Rapton!
Lloyd: (As Lucilia growls viciously) Huh? What's a "Rapton"?
Rapton: Me! I am Rapton!
Lloyd: What?
Rapton: I am Rapton!
Lloyd: Why do bad guys always feel the need to talk in third person?
Akita saw an Imperium blaster and picked it up. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to use it.
Akita: (Shaking it) How does this thing work?
Sora: (Gains a panicked expression) Akita, I wouldn't shake it around like…
Akita inadvertently pulled the trigger and nearly hit Razar.
Razar: (Dodging) Careful, my friend.
Akita: My sincerest apologies!
Arin: I can take these guys.
Arin rushed at the Claws and did his Spinjitzu on them.
Akita: That looked different from yours, Lloyd.
Lloyd: You're right. That was him. (As Arin caught an Imperium sword) Who'd he train under?
Sora: (As Arin shook the blade to work) He taught himself.
Arin inadvertently pulled the trigger. Everyone ducked to avoid being hit.
Arin: Sorry.
Razar snatched Akita's and switched it to sword mode.
Razar: (Seeing the design) I am so keeping this.
Razar ran in to fight some other guards.
Lloyd: Spinjitzu is the single most important ninja technique. (As Arin inadvertently switch the Imperium weapon turned into a taser rod and fought with it) It took me years to learn it with an incredible teacher. That shouldn't be possible.
Akita: Any other surprises you guys like to share?
Lucilia: Yep! Watch this!
Lucilia made her hands spark with electricity and fired it at some guards.
Lloyd: Lightning?!
Sora: Actually, it's Electricity. (As Lucilia fought) But they're not the only ones with skills. I just learned I can do this!
Sora struck a pose, making Rapton and two Claws flinch, but nothing happened.
Lloyd: Was something supposed to happen?
Razar: (Holding a Claw back) Yes! She was supposed to hack into their technology with this pink glow!
Sora: (As Monkey Wretch attacked a Claw from inside his clothes) So-Something's wrong! It worked before!
Lloyd: Got anything else?
Rapton: Get them!
Lucilia: Yeah, focus!
Rapton charged at Lloyd as the Green Ninja clashed his sword against the Dragon Hunter Commander's techno blade.
Lloyd: Buddy, I got zero idea who you are.
Rapton: I'm Rapton! I just told you that!
Lloyd: But if you're locking up kids and apparently animals, then you and I have some issues to work out.
Sora: (Trying to use the power while everyone fought) Oh, come on, weird powers! Why won't you work now?
Lucilia: (Uses her hand like a joy buzzer to shock a Claw Hunter) Hang on, didn't you get that boost from that baby dragon when we were falling from that bridge?
Arin managed to clumsily knock down two Claws.
Arin: Lucy's right! (Putting the Imperium in his back pocket) Hang on, I'll be right back!
Arin brought out his grappling hook when a Claw came out from behind him. Sora saw him and ran to help. The Claw threw his blade at Arin, but Sora used her armored to shield Arin. Smiling at the teamwork, Arin fired his grappling hook, glided over everyone, and landed on a train car. He opened a hatch and went inside.
Lloyd: Did he just leave?
Razar: (Fighting with his stole Imperium sword) No, my friend! He'll be right back!
Arin found the cages Lokai and the dragon and freed them. They both immediately tackled Arin for different reasons. Lokai was happy rescued him and the dragon was happy his faith in the humans wasn't betrayed.
Arin: Right, right. I'm happy to see the both of you, too. Come on, we got to… (Looking around) Wait, where's the Legend Beast?!
Lokai tried to tell Arin the Claws sent it out earlier but Arin couldn't understand what Lokai was chirping about. Arin came out of the car with the animals.
Arin: The Raven Beast isn't here!
Lucilia & Razar: WHAT?!
Rapton laughed, having gotten a win anyway.
Rapton: We loaded that giant bird onto a separate train! It's probably already in Imperium by now!
Lucilia: NO!
Wanting to help fight, the dragon powered up Sora like he did before.
Sora: (Powered up) This is what I was trying to show you, Lloyd.
Lloyd couldn't believe his eyes.
Lloyd: Elemental Powers?
Razar: (Awed) Ah, even better the second time.
Sora focused on the on the Imperium weapons and they started glowing while switching forms completely out of control, including Razar's.
Sora: Uh, Lloyd? I think I made a bomb.
Razar tossed his in a panic.
Lucilia: JUMP CLEAR!
They immediately bolted away and the bomb detonates, blasting Arin, Sora, Lloyd, Akita, Lucilia, Monkey Wretch, and the dragon off the train, while Razar and Lokai flew off. The train sped off for its destination with no cargo or prisoner.
Lucilia: (Cleaning herself) Everyone okay?
Everyone confirmed that they were in one piece.
Arin: (Lowers his head sadly) We're all here except for the Raven Beast.
Razar: (Understanding tone) It's okay, Arin. They thought ahead of us and got the prize… For now. I only wish we got to keep that cool weapon.
Arin gave Razar the Imperium weapon he pocketed as compensation.
Akita: (Seeing Lloyd's puzzled face) What's wrong, Lloyd?
Lucilia: Yeah, what's bugging you?
Lloyd: (To Lucilia) That wasn't Lightning you did, right?
Lucilia: No, it was Electricity.
Sora: I did some tests and she's generating Electricity.
Lloyd then turned to Arin and Sora.
Lloyd: It's supposed to be impossible to learn Spinjitzu by yourself, but... (Taps his cheek) I mean, it was a really weird version, but it was still Spinjitzu. (Arin grins as Lloyd turns to Sora) And you definitely have an Elemental Power. It's not Fire or Ice, or some others I've seen, but... maybe Tech Power?
Arin: Told you, Sora!
Akita: How many Elemental Powers have you seen?
Lloyd: A lot, so I know these powers well. (Petting their new dragon friend) They seem to be connected to be connected to this little dragon. (To Sora and Lucilia) Did any of your parents have powers?
Lucilia: (Shakes her head) No. My papa never had powers like these. Over the years, I gained my Electricity.
Sora: Ditto with me.
Lloyd: This makes no sense. Where's he come from?
Lloyd: This makes no sense. Where'd he come from?
Arin: We don't know. We found him when those jerks were hunting him. And we heard some tiger guy who threatened to hunt down his whole family.
Lucilia: He's probably going after the rest of the Legend Beasts afterwards.
Arin: But no one's seen the other Legend Beasts for years!
Lloyd: There's a Tiger guy? And what's a Legend Beast?
Razar: Something of great importance, my friend.
Sora: We can worry about that later. Right now, we need to warn this dragon's herd. There's gotta be a way to find his home.
Akita: But the question is: How though?
The dragon decided to help and started rearranging some debris to communicate.
Arin: Look, I'm all for making rock sculptures, but we don't have a lot of time, little buddy.
The dragon turns and shows his new friends a model of his home.
Lloyd: That's not a rock sculpture. He's telling us where he's from!
Lucilia gasped in awe.
Razar: He may be young, but he certainly is (Rubs his head) a smart one, yes?
Later, at the Monastery of Spinjitzu, Llyod searches for scrolls.
Akita: Welcome to the Monastery, everyone.
Lucilia: (Gasping in awe as she looks around) So, the legend is true.
Arin: I can't believe it! I'm in the Monastery of Spinjitzu! (Looking around) I gotta say, though, it's a little weirder than I pictured it.
Lucilia: (Pinching a pressure point on Razar's wing) Steal anything and you'll be looking for prosthetic wings.
Razar: (Terrified) Ok.
Lloyd: Good luck trying to steal anything good, Razar. The weird stuff is new. This place got real strange after the Merge.
Razar: (He and Lucilia look up at the tree) Hmm, it clearly shows.
Lucilia: But then again, we've seen much crazier stuff, haven't we?
Razar: Most certainly!
Sora: (Holding a scroll) Arin, Lucy, focus. We have to find the dragon's home.
Lucilia: (Looking through scrolls) Might help if we had a map.
Lloyd: Way ahead of you. After the Merge, Kai began to explore some of the new lands.
Razar: That's the Fire Ninja, right?
Lloyd: (Nods) The one and only.
Arin: You know where Kai, the Fire Ninja, is?
Lloyd: (Walking over to a table while holding multiple scrolls) Not exactly. It's a long story. But Kai sent notes about the places (Sets the scrolls on the table) he'd seen. (Opens a scroll and looks into it as Razar and Lucilia do the same) I'm pretty sure I saw those mountains in here somewhere.
The dragon brings his friends a scroll while Lokai was perched on his back.
Sora: What did you find?
Lucilia: Probably what we're looking for.
The young dragon dropped the scroll, which unrolled and showed a picture of a sun, three mountains, and a dragon breathing fire.
Lloyd: Lucilia's right. (Seeing the scroll) The Land of the Three Mountains. But it's far away, and the only airship I still have is the new Destiny's Bounty.
Lucilia: Let's get moving. Got any spare weapons here?
Akita: Second door to the left.
Lucilia: (Pumps her fist excitedly) Yes! (Grabs Razar's hand) Come on.
Finding the armory, the duo browsed their options. Lucilia stopped when she found a special Nakiri Sword in its sheath. She pulled it out and discovered it was two swords sharing the same sheath.
Lucilia: (Swinging them around) Not bad. Razar, you find anything you can use?
Razar: Not necessary, my feisty feline. (Showing his Imperium weapon) I still have the weapon gave me.
Akita came get them and brought them to the garage where the Destiny's Bounty was docked, only the ship was in desperate need of repairs.
Lucilia: Wow, this thing looks like it needs an overhaul.
Akita: What do you think I said when I first saw it?
Razar: Hmm, if I am correct, (Points to the front of the ship) the Bounty had a dragon head on the bow, yes?
Lucilia: Hey, he's right! Where's the dragon head?
Lloyd: I did say it's new.
Arin: Whoa!
Lloyd: But it isn't finished. And I don't have the skill to complete work on the engine.
Razar: A shame our Eagle friend isn't here to assist us, Lucy.
Lucilia sighed sadly; she missed Eris most of all.
Sora: (Patting her) I'm sure she's okay. In the meantime, I might know someone who can help.
Sora tries to use her Elemental Power but like back at the train, nothing happened.
Sora: Ugh, really? (Turns to the baby dragon and rubs his head) Back me up, buddy. (Grunts as she tries to use her power, but nothing happens) Do Elemental Powers come and go?
Lloyd: No. (Suddenly remembering it happened five or six times to him and his friends) Well, sometimes. Elemental powers can be complicated. It can take a lot of work to achieve one's true potential.
Lucilia looked at her hands, thinking the possibility she unlocked hers before she even had her powers.
Sora: (Sighing) Okay, then. I'll get this thing going the old-fashioned way. Come on, Monkey Wretch.
Lucilia saw Akita and her playful kitten instinct kicked in. Without warning, she pounced onto her.
Akita: (Throwing her off) Hey, what gives?!
Lucilia got up and on fours, playfully growling.
Razar: (As Monkey Wretch walked by, dragging a wrench) My Lion companion wishes to play with you, my friend. She wants to be friends with you.
Akita: (Looks surprised and turns to her) Is that true, Lucilia?
Lucilia: My friends call me Lucy. Think you're up for it?
Akita morphed into wolf form and they started playing. Lloyd smiled, not having seen Akita smile like that for a long time. He then heard Sora humming. Lloyd went over to Arin.
Lloyd: Does she always hum while she works?
Arin: No, sometimes she sings. Loudly. Trust me, the humming is better.
Lloyd: You've been friends with her and Lucilia a long time.
Arin: I met them both after the Merge. When the Crossroads started to build up with folks from all the newly merged lands. Lucilia's adopted home is the flying continent of Chima and Sora came from Imperium.
Lloyd: I've seen Imperium. Looks impressive.
Arin: (Frowns) She doesn't think so. She ran away and won't tell me why. I came to the Crossroads because my parents disappeared in the Merge. (Seeing Lloyd get up) Like a lot of people. Like I thought you Ninjas did. But you didn't.
Lloyd: (Heartbroken tone) Not all of us.
Arin: (As Lucilia and Akita kept playing) What've you been doing since then?
Lloyd: (Sighing) Keeping the world from destroying itself.
A flashback began to play, showing Lloyd in a different gi as he was taking some scrolls to his uncle and sensei, Master Wu.
Lloyd: (Narrating) The day started pretty normal. Master Wu had me to find as many scrolls as I could on something he called "Coalescence". I couldn't make sense of it.
Past Wu: (Looking through the scrolls) No. That can't be right. It's been centuries. Oh, I don't understand!
Past Lloyd: I'll just leave these here. (Setting down some scrolls next to Wu) Cool? (Sensei Wu doesn't pay attention to him) Okay, good talk. Call me if you need anything else.
Lloyd begins to leave but Sensei Wu stops him.
Past Wu: Lloyd, my student, my nephew. I hope you do a better job than I have when you become master of this monastery. Remember, family is key.
Past Lloyd: Huh? You've been here for almost a thousand years. I could never…
Suddenly, a huge earthquake caught everyone off guard.
Past Wu: (Gasp in horror) It's happening. I don't know how, but it's happening. I needed more time to prepare!
They run out to the courtyard, where the other ninjas are staring at the sky.
Past Lloyd: What's going on here?!
A rift opens in the sky.
Lloyd: (Narrating) Then, I saw the beginning of the Merge. (The ninjas head into the rift aboard the Destiny Bounty. Lloyd then saves Arin) I guess that's when we first met.
Past Lloyd: Hey kid, you get lost?
Lloyd: (Narrating) It was the most chaotic thing I'd ever experienced. And then...
An explosion bigger than a nuclear bomb occurs. Lloyd then wakes up alone at the monastery.
Past Lloyd: (Looking around) What? Where am I?
Lloyd hears a wolf howling outside the main door.
Past Lloyd: (Gasp) Can it be…?
Lloyd ran to the door and he saw his Formling friend, Akita.
Past Lloyd: AKITA!
Past Akita: (As Lloyd came in for a hug) LLOYD?!
Akita immediately rushed over and the two of them were embraced in a warm hug. Lloyd's happiness disappeared when he realized where Akita should be and when some dragons flew by. Akita gave a sad expression that told Lloyd something terrible happened to her people, including her brother.
Past Lloyd: Akita, what happened to your brother and tribe?
Past Akita: (Starting to cry) I don't know.
Lloyd: (Narrating) Akita explained the last thing she remembered was taking shelter in a cave with her brother when it happened. We learned whatever that chaos was, it resulted in the Merge. All Sixteen Realms coming together, expanding our world greatly. But for those who got caught up in it: The Ninjas, your parents... I don't know what happened to them.
Lloyd and Akita began looking in the library for clues.
Past Lloyd: (Narrating) I think the Merge was what Master Wu was researching. But his scrolls were destroyed, and we couldn't make any sense of his work. (Lloyd picks up a scroll but it easily rips in half) Except that it was somehow tied to something called "Source Dragons".
Lloyd looked at Akita, who shrugged her shoulder, never hearing of such dragons before. One night, they went outside for some fresh air when, to their surprise, the Destiny's Bounty was anchored above them.
Lloyd: (Narrating) We couldn't figure out how we ended up at the Monastery. Or how the Bounty did. (As the pair climbed aboard) For weeks, I thought the only survivor of the ninjas. I was wrong.
While searching, Past Lloyd and Akita heard and saw a figure in red. Upon reaction, Lloyd performed Spinjitzu.
Akita morphed to Wolf form, ready to fight, when Lloyd came back and threw someone onto the ground. Akita got a good at him before Lloyd and saw it was Kai.
Past Akita: (Prying Lloyd off him) Lloyd, calm down! It's your friend!
Lloyd saw him and it was indeed the Ninja of Fire, who threw his hood off, looking very annoyed.
Past Kai: What the heck, Lloyd?!
Past Lloyd: Kai! (As Akita let go of him) Sorry. Akita is the only person I've seen in weeks.
Past Kai: So good to see you, buddy. You too, Akita.
Akita: Same here, Kai.
After hugging it out, the three of them hopped off the Bounty and headed back into the Monastery.
Lloyd: (Narrating) After the Merge, Kai woke up on an island that didn't exist before. He worked his way through some strange kingdoms to get home. He didn't know where the others were, but we quickly learned we had bigger problems.
Suddenly, the trio saw a MergeQuake happened before them.
Lloyd: (Narrating) MergeQuakes.
Kai was seen flying the Destiny's Bounty into the storm with Akita on board while Lloyd flew a golden mech, equipped with jet boosters.
Lloyd (Narrating): MergeQuakes are like aftershocks. Places where realms are unstable, trying to share the same area, like cracks in reality. (As Lloyd and Kai successfully seal it) And we learned that, for some reason, elemental powers can close them. But the MergeQuakes were getting more frequent and stronger. If they continue like this, it's only a matter of time before they rip the world apart. (As the trio packed supplies onto the Bounty) Kai and I realized we needed help to stop them. Master Wu's scrolls had been destroyed, but there had to be answers out there somewhere. Or someone who could help us.
Kai had boarded the Bounty with the supplies he was taking as he smirked while waving goodbye to Lloyd and Akita, who did the same as the Destiny's Bounty flew off.
Lloyd (Narrating): Kai took the Bounty to search the combined realms for answers, and I stayed with Akita to keep everyone safe. And the MergeQuakes were getting worst.
The same day Lucilia and friends were fighting to protect the dragon, Lloyd saw Arin do his Spinjitzu.
Past Lloyd: Spinjitzu?
The flashback came to end as the camera returned its view to Lloyd and Arin.
Arin: That's why you expected a ninja in the train car with us?
Akita and Lucilia were still playing by playing Tug-o-War with some rope and the dragon was being cute by laying on his back.
Lloyd: Yeah, but I never imagined it'd be someone who taught themselves Spinjitzu. Or someone with an elemental power I didn't know existed that's tied to a dragon.
Razar: (Overhearing everything) You think there might be a connection between Dragons and the Merge, my friend?
Lloyd: I'd say it's pretty accurate. Do you think it's true, Razar?
Razar: It's possible. A lot of stories are going around the Crossroads about the Merge. Theories, experiences, anything. I'd be happy to dig around for anything... For a price.
Lloyd: (Nodding in agreement) When dragons might be connected to what caused the Merge, it's... It's like it's... It's...
Arin: Fate. You were meant to find us. To train us! To be our new master.
Razar: Ah, (Placing a hand on Lloyd's shoulder) the student becomes the teacher! A true classic, yes?
Lloyd: (Smiling) I'm not skilled enough to be your master. You need Wu... (Sad) But he's gone.
Before anyone said or did anything else, the Bounty's engine roared to life.
Sora: (With Monkey Wretch on her armored shoulder) So, who's up for a flight?
Lucilia: (Raising her hand) Me, me, me!
Razar: (Rubs his hands eagerly) Time to see what this beauty is capable of!
Later, the Bounty was flying perfectly through the sky. Sora and Arin were playing catch with the dragon using some spare Nunchucks.
Arin: (Throwing them) Come on, buddy.
The dragon ran and caught them with his mouth.
Lucilia: (Gets down on her knees and pets his head) Good boy!
Akita: A shame we have to take him home. (Petting the dragon) I'd gladly call him my friend.
Lucilia: My papa once told me it's not the distance that matters as long as the bond remains.
Everyone smiled at the wise words. Soon, they arrived at their destination. All was quiet until Lokai spotted something heading their way. He screeched loudly, trying to warn everyone.
Arin: What is it, Lokai?
Sora: What's wrong?
Razar: (Takes out his telescope and looks into it) Hmm...
Lloyd: The Three Peaks! We're almost there! We're...
Razar: INCOMING!
Everyone saw Rapton's forces following them.
Lucilia: They must've figured out what we were thinking.
Sora: It's those dragon hunters. It's the Claws of the Imperium!
Arin: They must have followed us!
Lloyd tried to dodge the Claws' blasts, but they manage to get a lucky hit.
Lloyd: (Struggling to stay in control) I can't steady it!
Rapton laughed evilly. Everyone screamed as they sped towards a mountain, but suddenly, the ship stops.
Lucilia: (Opening one eye) Are we dead?
Arin: (Holding onto the mast) Yeah, aren't we?
Their dragon friend screeched happily. Everyone looked to see a giant dragon carrying them to safety.
Lloyd: I think the little dragon's family found us!
Lucilia: That's a full-sized dragon?!
The larger dragon had reached the peaks and set the Destiny's Bounty down rather roughly. Everyone ducked at the sound of something breaking.
Sora: Hey, I just fixed that! (Sweating at the size of the dragon) And I don't mind fixing it again. Ah, it'll be good practice, actually.
Suddenly, the dragon did something that caught Lucilia and Razar off guard... She spoke, sort of.
Dragon Matriarch: (Telepathic) What have you done to Riyu? Have you injured one of our own?
Lucilia & Razar: DRAGONS CAN SPEAK?!
Lloyd: I think she's using telepathy. Speaking through mental communication.
Arin: (Looking at their dragon friend) Riyu? Is your name Riyu, buddy?
The dragon, now identified as Riyu, squawked in confirmation.
Lloyd: We haven't hurt him. We rescued him from the Claws of the Imperium.
Razar: (Walks up next to him) My green friend speaks the truth. Those poachers have kidnapped my Legend Beast.
Lucilia: Please, we're telling the truth!
The Claws came in at the worst possible time, weakening their defense that they were friends. They were attacking the dragons that resided at the Three Peaks left and right.
Razar: (Terrified over the Matriarch's assumption) We're dragon chow, aren't we?
Lucilia: Yep.
Matriarch: You expect me to believe that while you assault our land?!
Riyu squawks to his tribe leader, trying to explain these were his friends.
Dragon Matriarch: Riyu, you are a young dragon. You do not understand how the world works. These beings cannot be trusted.
Lucilia: (Slowly gets a look of bravery) Yes, we can! I am Lucilia, daughter of King Lagravis! Princess of the Lions! One of the most noble and heroic tribes in all of Chima!
The Matriarch sensed Lucilia was telling the truth.
Matriarch: I have met your father. I will hear you out.
Sora: We came to help, to warn you about the Claws of Imperium.
Arin: But somehow, they followed us.
Lokai screeched, saying "Incoming!".
Lloyd: Let us prove we're allies.
Rapton and his forces continued to take down dragons.
Rapton: (Laughing) We've hit the dragon motherlode! Bring 'em down!
Lucilia: (Drawing her blades) You only earned a one-way trip to the hospital!
Razar: (Shooting) A free one at that!
Everyone charged into battle. Lloyd used his Spinjitzu and knocked a Claw Hunter right off his hover chariot. Arin tried to do the same with his Spinjitzu while also using a pair of nunchucks, but he began to spin out of control.
Arin: Dang it!
He ended up crashing right into a tree, but luckily, one of the fallen branches managed to knock another Claw Hunter off his chariot as it was sent rocketing towards the ground.
Lucilia: (Fighting with her two blades) You okay, Arin?
Arin: I'm fine. Watch out!
A Claw came at Lucilia from behind but Akita pounced onto him. The Green Ninja sighed and went over to the young ninja.
Lloyd: You definitely need some practice.
Lucilia knocked a Claw's sword out of his hands and kicked it to Razar, who caught it perfectly.
Lucilia: (Fighting) Till then, use the weapon you know how to use perfectly!
Arin picked up what Lucilia was implying and brought out his grappling hook. He fired it at a tree, as it wrapped around, creating a makeshift tripwire. One Claw didn't notice it until it knocked him off his vehicle.
Lucilia: Exactly what I meant!
Arin and Lloyd high fived each other. Lloyd saw an incoming enemy and used Spinjitzu to intercept him. Another mountain dragon had fallen victim to the dragon hunters as it was brought down by orange snares from the Claw Hunters' Imperium Swords. Sora, Riyu, and Razar hid behind a rock, ready to free the dragon. Riyu led the attack and knocked the first one down. Razar flew up, grabbed the second one, and dropped him away from the dragon. Sora came punched the last one. Each time caused the Hunters to drop their restraints, allowing the Dragon to escape.
Sora: You're free! Get out of...
Sora was cut off when Rapton flew in on his chariot and grabbed Sora, unaware Monkey Wretch hitched a ride underneath.
Lucilia: (Gasping) Sora!
Rapton: You're done ruining my plans, you... Plan Ruiner!
Monkey Wretch groaned as he pulled out a plan and began messing with the wiring. All of a sudden, Rapton's hover chariot began to hover out of control. As it got close to the ground, Sora managed to get free and jumped to safety with Monkey Wretch hitching a ride. Rapton crashes but jumped clear before impact. He then saw the Matriarch fly over him.
Rapton: I've never seen a dragon that big! (Contacting his subordinates) Change of plans! That is our prey!
The Claw Hunters began to chase after the Matriarch. Lucilia took noticed of their actions.
Lucilia: They're going after the Matriarch!
The Claws worked together and managed to force the Tribe Leader down. For some reason, she was careful about not landing on a part of her body when she crashed. The drones began to form a circular snare in order to force the Matriarch down.
Arin: We have to help her! Come on!
Lucilia: (Stopping him) We're outnumbered and outgunned!
Sora: Lucy's right! We can't rush in without a plan!
Lloyd: (Getting an idea) You three have given me one.
Looking at the Matriarch like a prized trophy, Rapton contacted Lord Ras using an Imperium Communication Disc.
Rapton: Ras, we got the big one. (Showing Ras their catch) This should make the Empress just as happy as capturing the Raven Beast.
Rapton hung up, unaware Ras was disgusted by Rapton's cockiness.
Claw: Shall I prepare to land?
Ras: No. Just be prepared to watch what happens next.
A few of the Claw Hunters holding the Dragon Matriarch down saw the Green Ninja approaching them with a threatening and determined expression on his face as he cracked his neck.
Lloyd: (To the Matriarch) Your majesty, Riyu appears to have the ability to somehow connect and supercharge elemental powers.
Matriarch: I know nothing of this.
Lloyd: If you can power me up the way Riyu powers Sora, we might have a chance here. (To Rapton) This is your last chance, Rapton! Leave or be destroyed!
Rapton and the Claws laughed at Lloyd's remark. They had the numbers, weapons, and vehicles.
Lloyd: Your mistake.
Lucilia: You asked for it, you creeps!
The Matriarch powered up Lloyd. The raw energy made Lloyd scream in pain.
Rapton: Get him! What are you waiting for? Attack!
As the Claws charged, Lloyd did a Spinjitzu tornado so big and powerful that it could have been a Category-5 Hurricane.
Razar: (Caws in shock) Holy Rizzoli!
Everyone else held onto something for dear life while Rapton and his lackeys were sucked right in. Desperate for reinforcements, Rapton contacted Ras.
Rapton: Lord Ras! We need backup! HELP!
Ras: (Hanging up) Our mission is complete. Return to Imperium.
Ras and his forces left Rapton and his men to enter a world of pain. Razar saw them retreating from the air and smirked.
Lloyd stops when he saw they won. He panted in exhaustion on the energy he used.
Lloyd: Wow. That... Was something. Guess my theory was right.
Lucilia: Is everyone okay?!
Akita: (Brushing herself off) I am okay, Lucilia.
Everyone confirmed that they were in one piece. The Matriarch got up and shook off her restraints.
Matriarch: It appears there is a connection between us. I felt it as well. When the Merge occurred, I struggled to keep isolated. Hidden. But there are mysteries between us we clearly do not fully understand.
Lloyd: I agree. The world has changed. And it's time to build a new future.
Lucilia: (As Razar flew down to her) With or without the power of Chi, we still grow stronger together as one.
Razar nodded in agreement.
Matriarch: You have wise disciples, Master Lloyd.
Lloyd: I'm not a master. But maybe I could be a teacher. The Ninjas have protected Ninjago for years. We've been a symbol of hope for so many. But with the others missing, that hope had been lost. Now I see there is a reason to hope once again, because I can't do this alone. (To the group) I need your help saving the world.
Lucilia: I'm in. Might be the best way to find my family and the rest of my friends.
Razar: I absolutely agree with Lucilia. I not only miss the profits I used to make, but the adventures we've shared with the rest of our comrades, yes.
Arin: (Excited) Alright! Yes!
Lucilia: You mentioned meeting my papa earlier. When was that?
Matriarch: Three days ago, Lagravis came by here looking for his children. (Bringing a bag out) He entrusted me to give this to you should we meet.
Lucilia took the bag and found an egg inside it. The Matriarch then addressed the situation with the unconscious Hunters.
Matriarch: (As the mountain dragons took flight) Hmm. These dragon hunters will not remain unconscious for long. Our herd will have to move locations so they cannot find us.
Lloyd: And we'd better get back to Ninjago. We have training to begin.
Arin gave Riyu the nunchuck they played with as a keepsake.
Arin: I guess this is it, buddy. But at least you're home now.
Sora: We'll miss you so much.
Lucilia: Don't forget about us.
Akita: (Sadly) I'll miss you dearly, Riyu.
Razar: Take care, my friend.
Lokai and Monkey Wretch said goodbye and joined the others. Out of nowhere, Arin got hit in the head with Riyu's nunchuck.
Arin: What the...?
Everyone saw Riyu's happy expression and figured out he wasn't ready to say goodbye yet.
Matriarch: (As Arin and Riyu played) It appears Riyu is not ready to leave your little group.
Lloyd: (As Arin, Sora, and Lucilia play fetch with Riyu) He would be safe with us, if you allow it.
Razar: Hmm, that does seem like the logical solution. Those dragon hunters have no idea where the Monastery is located, yes?
Matriarch: I think his decision is foolish. But if there is to be a connection between our kinds, it has to begin somewhere. If he ever needs us, he will be able to find us.
The dragons fly off, leaving Riyu with the Ninja and company. Meanwhile at Imperium, Ras was speaking with the ruler, Empress Beatrix, via his Imperium Communication Disc.
Ras: The plan worked better than we hoped, Your Majesty. Not only has the Ninja reveled himself and he has connected with a Dragon Matriarch, but the Lion Princess has shown herself an Elemental Master and a Chosen Champion for the Source Dragons.
Beatrix: (While admiring the Lion Tribe Royal Valiant Sword she had) Then our hunt for more Source Dragons AND that child is well underway.
As she hung up, she was joined by a Scorpion in gold armor, wearing Imperium General robes. This was King Scorm, leader of the Scorpion Tribe. The two of them stepped forward to an energy glass core, containing none other than a Source Dragon.
Scorm: (Chuckles cruelly) Feeling cozy in there?
Beatrix: If not, don't worry. You'll have a companion and your precious Champion down here in no time. Soon, Imperium will have enough dragon power to rule over all the Merged Realms!
Beatrix laughed maniacally as she and Scorm left the room and were greeted by two Crocodile Warriors: Crawly and Crug.
