Chapter 26: A Line in the Sand and The Attack
"Take your fangs off my parents, you darn dirty snakes! Mom! Dad! Are you okay?" Jay said as he attacked a couple of the snake warriors. After Cyrus being kidnapped by Acronix and "Dr, Saunders" who the ninja found out was Krux, the other Twin of Time. As well as Zane being unconscious from the attack the remaining team went to stop the snake warriors from stealing metal in Ninjago City and builders (which they were unsuccessful in saving). Then having the power being shut down and saving it then to go to Mega Monster Amusement Park to stop them from stealing more metal. Before leaving the power station Jay realized something else they hadn't checked but didn't get to say it as the others left quickly. Cinder however did and paused and followed the blue ninja to his parents home and business: a junkyard.
"Oh, well, I'm now very late for my quilting circle." Edna said
"The ninja mustn't interfere. Get over there and take him down." Blunck orders
"Whoa, whoa! Oh, Jay, what's happening? These fellas came out of nowhere and started grabbing things." Ed questions as his son saved him from a warrior grabbing him, meanwhile Cinder threw lightning orbs and covered poison on his tail blade to electrocute and poisoned them. He also was using the knowledge from the time blade to attack them, but in small amounts to not get noticed by the snakes.
"Yeah, they do that." Jay said sheepishly
"Oh! Now that's rude!" Edna shouted as she was
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you. I'm gonna get you both out of here on my bike." Jay says and turns to see his bike taken apart.
"Argh!"
Cinder just looked at the situation as he landed on the ground . Then he noticed a couple of the snake warriors coming towards him, causing him to be confused. But realizing what as they try to grab his tail. He moved back and screamed, releasing red aves at them, freezing them in place. Then uses his earth flail to swing at them, knocking them far away and glared at them.
"Don't even think of taking my jewelry. It's an heirloom from my mom and I don't want to lose them."
The warriors looked at the dragonet in fear and scurried away. Meanwhile…
"Message received, Commander Machia. Vermillion warriors, we're leaving. Take the builder, now." The snake warrior said through whatever in their ear.
"Vermillion warriors? Really? That's what they're calling—Hey!" Jay said appalled but then hears his parents struggling as they got pulled along with the other snake warriors.
"Let go of me! Watch it!" Ed shouted before Jay saved him from being kidnapped.
"Take her, she may be a builder also." The warrior shouted as they grabbed Jay's mom.
"Wait, wait! I don't like to go anywhere without my purse! Aah!"
"Edna!" Ed shouted
"Put me down! Aah! Help!" She yelled as the Vermillions left the junkyard with their scrap and the elderly mother. Jay tried to focus on summoning his elemental dragon but couldn't concentrate from his emotions going haywire over the situation. The blue ninja sat down in despair, Cinder walked over and sat next to him and rubbed his head against the blue ninja's head comfortably. Jay's dad comforted him as well.
"Oh, I just promised nothing was gonna hurt you guys! And now they've taken Mom!" Jay said
"It's going to be fine. I'm sure you'll come up with a way to save the day." Ed comforted but Jay shook his head
"Yeah? How can you be sure?"
"Well, because you have every other time the forces of evil have descended on this place." Ed said and Jay groaned "Just remember what we say in the scrap metal business. "Keep your emotions under control and focus on the problem at hand."."
"Do you actually say that?" Jay said astonished
"Ah, it's a surprisingly harsh business, son. The important thing is, we raised you to never give up." Ed stated and Jay sighs but stood up.
"You're right. I'm going after Mom."
"That's the spirit, son!" Ed cheered as then the blue ninja looked at his vehicle, which was destroyed. Turning to Cinder the dragonet shook his head, saying he can't carry him that far. The blue ninja turned to his dad.
"Where's the nearest bus stop?"
"Ahem. Hold on. I have something here that might be useful. Something that doesn't require a bus pass." Ed said and walked over to an object under a cover. "Now, normally, I don't believe in giving birthday gifts early, but your mother is in danger, so I'm gonna make an exception." He uncovers the object, revealing a motorbike. It was sleet but it was a little crude in its building design and quality. "Like it? I built it myself."
"Um…" Jay was skeptical but went over to it and sat on it, but it fell apart. Sitting in a pile of parts of the bike. Then looks to Cinder and his dad and a smile grew on his face. "I've got some ideas for a few modifications. If that's okay."
"Only if you let me help." Ed said with a grin.
"I'll help as well." Cinder said and the three began to work on the modifications to the bike. Adding connectors and wires from the handlebar to boosters, bigger tire for handling, and a much improved bodywork for better aerodynamics. After doing all the mods to the bike it was ready to go. Jay and Ed hop on the bike and take off out of the junkyard, with Cinder flying overhead. Headings towards where the Vermillion went with tracks still left in the sand. Heading through the Sea of Sands the trio went over dunes and small piles of rocks as they came closer to the massive clumps of rocks which the tracks led to. As they entered and continued on Cinder could hear the sounds of fighting going and swoop down to the two Walker's. Motioning his head to follow he led the duo towards the scene. Jay sped his bike up as they saw the battle, Cinder flew up to watch.
"Now, Jay, there's a speed limit." Ed cautioned
"Mom is in trouble!" Jay shot back
"And there are times it's okay to ignore it. Hit it, son!" Ed exclaimed and Jay went for it as he drove his bike at them. Suddenly a dome of blue energy appeared around the Vermillion and Ninja. Cinder recognizes this energy all too well: Slow-Motion.
"What is that?" Jay yelled in surprise and turned but entered the bubble, going slow-mo as he turned but quickly sped after exiting the bubble. Then both the blue ninja and his dad crashed into a pile of rocks. They both got upand flipped the bike back up. Cinder landed on the ground next to them and looked at the situation. Then he watched Jay get back on the bike but his dad didn't.
"Stay here, Dad. Cin, watch for me ok?" Jay asked
Cinder nodded
"W-What are you gonna do?" Ed questioned as Jay rev'd the bike.
"It's like you said: never give up." Jay grinned and took off
"Well, son, that's before I saw everyone slow to a snail's pace." Ed replied worriedly
"Which is why we modified the bike." Jay concluded and took off towards the bubble.
"Oh." Ed utter as both man and dragon watch the blue ninja. Then his bike suddenly lit up and arcs of lightning went over the bike. Then the boosters activated shortly and he took off like a bolt of lightning and entered the bubble. This time he was going much faster than before through it. He then grabbed his mom and knocked the Time Blade out, making time go back to normal speed. The others cheered
"Way to go, Jay!" Cole shouted
"Talk about making a comeback!" Kai said grinning as the blue ninja sped off.
"SORRY, I LEFT YOU BEFORE, CAN'T STOP! PLEASE HELP MY DAD AND GET THE BLADE! SEE YOU BACK AT THE TEMPLE!" He shouted as the mother and son sped away from the team. Kai takes the blade before the Vermillion Warriors could.
"Looking for this? Catch!"
"Whoops." Zane said innocently
"Over here!" Nya exclaims
"haha! Close!" Kai laughed
"Nope. Almost!" Zane exclaimed with a grin but Lloyd cut in.
"Guys, quit messing around! We got the Blade! Let's get out of here!" He orders and the red ninja sighs
"Remember how I said I like the way Lloyd is taking charge?"
"Yeah." Nya said
"I take it back." Kai concluded as they all ran. The snake warriors
"After them! Go, go, go! Get the Time Blade!" The leader orders
Kai: (He almost trips on a Vermillion's helmet.) There's that symbol again! (He takes the helmet.)
"Go, go, go, go, go, go, go! We're not gonna make it! We don't have enough time!" Nya exclaims but Lloyd sees Cinder and Ed and has an idea.
"Cinder! Catch!" The green throws the Time Blade to the dragonet. Cinder knew immediately what Lloyd wanted him to do. He jumped up in the air and flew high above and over the Vermillion. He watches as they change course and follow him. Which worked as his teammates went over to the Ultra Sonic Raider, well what was left as the others were taken out. But was wrong as the Raider Jet was functional but sees Zane hanging on one side of it, meaning there was damage but in a certain area. The dragonet turned and smirked at the snake warriors below and shot a blast of energy from the Time Blade, causing them to slow down. He then headed towards the team who were slowly flying to allow him to catch up. Cinder grinned as he flew alongside them grasping the blade tightly.
"We did it! We got the Time Blade! We finally caught a break!" Lloyd cheered
"Nice work, Lloyd." Cole applauded
"Did you guys see Jay take off on that bike? He was like greased lightning. What? He had grease on his face. And he's the Lightning Ninja. Aw, come on! You would have laughed if Jay said it." Nya joked but nobody laughed
"No, no, we wouldn't." Kai said deadpan
"I, uh, I thought it was funny, Nya." Ed said
"Thank you, Mr. Walker." Nya said as the team left the Vermillion warriors behind. Cinder followed alongside back to the Temple of Airjitzu. Now hoping for a break from the fighting and going back to doing wood carving. But nobody knew that the enemy was a step ahead on their plans.
—-
"Whoa! Amazing." Cole exclaimed as he, Jay, and Zane admired the Slow-Mo Time Blade in another room. After acquiring it in the Sea of Sands the team were back at the Airjitzu Temple. Cinder was doing wood carving while those three were messing with it. As he carved he heard them throwing boxes around in there and sighed. Those 3 don't know what they're doing, like, have they forgotten that they weld the Golden Weapons that were so powerful that all 4 can neutralize the wielder when held together from existence.
"So cool!"
Cinder rolled his eyes again as his brother, Nindroid, and gear head kept making a racket. But then hears the Water Ninja.
"Hey, watch it! I'm working here." Nya shouted angrily
"Sorry, Nya." Zane apologized
"What's with Nya? She's been on her computer since we got back from the desert." Cole said
"Her attempt to locate her stolen Samurai X suit is consuming her." Zane noted
"Ugh. She's as bad as her brother." Cole said, his voice filled with annoyance. Cinder paused on carving after hearing the red ninja's name. After getting the Slow-Mo Time Blade, the red ninja had snatched one of the Vermillion helmets from the battle. Now he was looking through books as to whatever he was looking for. Meanwhile Lloyd was talking to Master Wu, about how their mission went.
"Hey kiddo! How did the mission go?"
Cinder turned his head to see Sparx coming in, seeing the dragonfly made the dragonet smile. He nodded, and explained how the mission went. But was interrupted by his teammates talking (as well messing around with the Time Blade. While the Fast-Forward Time Blade was hidden.). After an hour of wood carving the purple and magenta red dragonet came out of the temple and onto the grounds. As he left the last step of the stairs he could hear Jay, Cole, and Zane on the other side of the grounds.
"Let's do this. Time Blade ready?" Jay exclaimed and they screamed as they ran toward each other. Zane slows down time before they run into each other. Cinder saw this and face-palm at this, and as it ended the dragonet hit Zane with an ice spike knocking it out and grabbing it.
"Hey, I told you guys not to mess around with the Time Blade." Lloyd
":We aren't." Jay said within the time bubble, but it burst and the three fell down.
"I said to hide it someplace safe." Lloyd said sternly
"And we ignored you." Jay said with a yawn
"Besides, we're, um, skill-building." Cole replied with a poor excuse and Lloyd looked at them with an unconvincing look.
"What skill? Room-destroying? This Blade is extremely powerful and highly coveted. Nothing this valuable will be so easily conceded. At least Cinder is more responsible to hide the other blade."
""Nothing this valuable will be so easily conceded." Sounds to me like someone's earned his black belt in being a wet blanket." Co.e said to Jay who snorted
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lloyd inquired, puzzled
"I believe Cole's intent is to describe you as a blanket which has become wet, not for the purpose of putting out a fire, but rather to extinguish our enjoyment." Zane stated and the green ninja groan in frustration
"Ugh."
" Aw, seriously, Lloyd. Lighten up. It's not going anywhere." Jay said confidently and then threw it up into the air and caught it. Lloyd squawks in anger at this.
"Hey!"
"Hehe. See?"
"I see that after victory, some of you have chosen to amuse yourselves. I encourage you not to be so careless. Nothing this valuable will be so easily conceded." Wu said sternly as he came out of the temple. The others stopped and stood in front of him and bowed in shame.
"Uh, sorry, Master Wu." Cole said abashed
"Well put, Master." Jay said sheepishly as Lloyd growl
""Well put"? I just said that exact same thing!"
"Kai, Nya, join. This is important. You have had a victory. A well-earned one. But Krux, Acronix, and their forces remain a threat. Do not allow your confidence to cloud your vigilance. I made that mistake once." Wu said but noticed that the red ninja was deep in thought "Kai, is something troubling you?"
"The marking on this helmet. Do you recognize it?" Kai questioned and showed the helmet, which Wu gasps. "You do recognize it. What do you know? Tell me, please."
"This means...this changes everything." Wu pondered as suddenly an object crashed inside the Temple. Everyone was caught off by that and looked in surprise.
"What was that?" Jay exclaimed
"I've run a fourth-level analysis. It appears the snake warriors have returned to retrieve the Blade." Zane analyzed and Jay scoffs
"Really? I could have told you that with a third-level analysis. Or a no-level analysis!"
"Well, we're all the way up here and they're all the way down there. No chance they could reach us." Cole said as then the snake warriors launched another projectile.
"Oh, come on. They built catapults?" Nya groaned
"Whatever. It's just a bunch of snakes." Cole said arrogantly but Cinder hissed.
"A bunch of snakes? The same ones that tear apart the Ultra Sonic Raider so easily? Bro, you're having a bit of an ego coming in and you better squash it or you'll get a bump in the head."The dragonet said sternly but his brother ignored his warning.
"Remain on guard, ninja. There is more to your adversaries than you may think." Wu imparts as then another projectile egg is launched.
"Uh, whatever. It's just a bunch of warriors. I mean, they are not armed, but we are." Cole said as hetook a fighting stance. The others followed suit, with their weapons in hand as they stood face to face with the enemy, Jay looked at them.
"Oh, big mistake! Never bring fists to a nunchuck-sword-scythe-katana-shuriken-dragon fight!"
The Vermillion launched another egg and hit another building on the grounds.
"Oh, wow. They went from unarmed snakes to fully weaponized Vermillion warriors really, really fast."
"Doesn't matter! We can—Wait. That's what they're called? "Vermillion warriors"?" Kai questioned in astonishment
"Heh, I know, right? So lame! There are so many better names." Jay implied
"Actually, the name is quite clever. You see, vermilion is a shade of red with a slight orange tint, a color which symbolizes life and eternity. So in that sense, they should actually be commended for—" Zane noted before getting cut off.
"Guys, focus! Everyone ready?" Lloyd commanded as Wu moved back to the temple.
"I will sit this one out to preserve my strength."
"Good idea, Master. Ninja…" Lloyd said
"...go!" The others finished as they used Spinjitzu and weapons as they easily defeated the Vermillion. Cinder stood back to let the others fight, letting them see if their confidence and ego would get in the way with this battle. As he sat next to Master Wu with the Slow-Mo Time Blade in his claws he watched them defeat wave after wave of Vermillions. The others cheered after defeating them then Kai walked back over wanting his answer in the marking, but couldn't as more egg protectiles came launching. Making the others get overwhelmed by the constant attacks.
"We have to go on the offensive. They're bringing everything up here, which means we have to go down there and take out their equipment." Lloyd demanded
"But how?" Jay inquired
"Like this." Lloyd said as he summoned his Energy Dragon. The others became worried.
"Lloyd, I really don't think going down there's a good idea." Kai cautioned
"Especially on a Dragon. In the past, your fear has caused your Dragon to vanish and—" Zane replied but Lloyd cut him off
"That was a long time ago. I am now a Master—"
"In training." Jay pipe in
"And our Temple is under attack. I don't have time for fear. I'll take care of the ones down below. You guys hold them off up here. And protect the Time Blade." Lloyd ordered and took off. Cinder watched as the green ninja went towards the ground and looked at Master Wu, who indicated his head to help his nephew. The dragonet gave the blade to him and took to the skies himself and followed Lloyd. Soon he was above Lloyd and stayed there as the blonde fought against the Vermillion on the ground.
"Yes! Uh-oh." Lloyd said worriedly as he dodged aerial attacks. As several battle blimps came and the green ninja had to maneuver. He was starting to struggle to keep himself calm on his dragon.
"Stay calm, Master-in-training. No time for fear." Unfortunately he couldn't keep calm as he gets scared and his Dragon disappears. Cinder then drops and rapidly sped towards the falling ninja. He could see Kai on his dragon in the corner of his eye as he dived.
"Lloyd. Conjure the Dragon again." Cole yelled as Lloyd tried, but failed. Cinder was soon getting closer to Lloyd as his dive pushed him faster. Soon the dragonet was close enough to grab the blonde and flared his wings out as they were forced to flap to keep attitude up, then slowly he began flying back up to the temple. Then he heard a whooshing noise and saw a projectile coming towards him,and before he got hit a gigantic sword appeared and blocked it. Turning his head he saw the Samurai X suit, wondering if Nya had gotten it back but he saw her on the grounds with the others and was confused. He then flew up to the temple and landed on the ground with a grunt as he let go of Lloyd and he crumpled to the ground panting. The others were looking at the mech, wondering who's piloting it, with Nya looking at it with anger.
"Hey, you! Suit thief! You owe me an explanation! I have a right to know who you are. Tell me."
"Hehe. I got this. Who. Are. You!? Huh. How did that not work?" Jay said puzzled
"Well, Samurai, whoever you are, thank you." Lloyd said
""Thank you?" Samurai Whoever-You-Are stole my suit!" Nya said angrily as the Samurai flew away.
"And saved my and Cinder's life." The green ninja points out and the water ninja shook her head
"I get that. And we're all incredibly grateful. Really, it's just...ugh. You stole my suit!" She said as the Vermillion hit the Samurai. Everyone looked on in shock.
"No!"
"Ninja!" Wu shouted as Vermillion warriors were about to attack him, but Cole slowed it down. Kai then brings up the marking again but before Wu could do the Time Twins appeared and the team began attacking them, but the two brothers were very experienced and were destroying them easily. Cinder kept a distance from them with the blade in his talons, but then felt something coming and he used his Shadow element to go into a shadow. Then he came up and began attacking the snakes that were sneaking up on him. As he fought, slashing, cutting, and swinging his tail around, he didn't notice the main General snake warrior sneaking up on him. Then with a punch in the back of the head the dragonet squeaks in surprise, dropping the Time Blade from his grasp. The snake then throws it to Krux who smirks and before the other ninja could move he uses it to slow down them.
"Hahahahaha! You ninja can't seem to move fast enough. You're just wasting time as it is."
Then Krux sees Cinder and aims the blade to hit him as well but the dragonet suddenly disappears in a flash of green energy. The man was confused until he felt the fast movement circling around him and he held tight onto the blade. Then he felt attacks on him happening so quickly that he wondered how a young dragon can do moves that quick. After that the dragonet appeared after another flash of green energy a few seconds later. Krux analyzed this and knew what it was.
"So, you can control time as well, Cinder? Well, you're no match against me and my brother! We're the Hands of Time and nobody would stand in our way!" He shouted
Cinder just stood there and glared at the man, but before he could do anything there was a scream. Turning his head the dragonet's eyes widened in fear. In the snake general's hand was his uncle, who was struggling to free himself. Krux saw this and grins evilly.
"Good job Machia! Using the bug as a hostage against the dragon ninja." Krux said then turned to Cinder who was growling but stayed in place. He was in a situation where he couldn't get out. He watched as the General walked over and gave his uncle to Krux, who then grasped the dragonfly very tightly, making Sparx's face turn blue. The man looked at Cinder.
"Now… you have a choice Cinder: where's the other Time Blade at?" He demands
Cinder stay quiet but glared
"If you don't tell me then he's going to be turned into insect squash." Krux stated
Cinder stared at his uncle, then to the others, then back to Sparx and to Wu, who looked at him with his eyes telling him to think on it. But Cinder couldn't, he doesn't have the time to think, and saving his uncle is more important than a weapon. He sighed.
"Alright, I'll grab the other Time Blade for ya."
Krux smiled
"Thank you Cinder, at least you're willing to meet our demands."
Cinder sighed and went into the temple, the Vermillion General followed him so he didn't fight. After a few minutes he found the hiding spot he put the Fast-Forward Time Blade in and went outside to the two brothers and handed the blade to Acronix. He stood back a few feet but then was knocked out as the General hit him on the head hard. The ninja were flabbergasted and angered by this but then fear as Wu was grabbed as well. They looked at the ninja and grinned and turned to their general in command who smirks.
"As I promised, the Time Blades are yours to keep." She said
"Indeed. And let's also take him. As well as the dragon. I'm curious how he can control our power." Acronix said as he grabbed Cinder's tail, being careful of the tail blade.
"Brilliantly executed, Machia. Forward. We are wasting precious time." Krux said as they left, taking Wu, Cinder, and Sparx with them.
"Thank you for your hospitality." The female snake said as they disappeared
"Wu! No! Be strong, Wu. It isn't over." Misako shouted as the ninja were freed from the time bubble. They all looked at the damage around them
"All that fighting...just so we could end up losing everything. Master Wu, both Time Blades…" Kai utter
"The Destiny's Bounty and our Temple. As well as my brother and Sparx." Cole said with a look of despair at his brother being taken.
"They beat us. They won." Jay said quietly
"Even Samurai X has been destroyed." Zane said solemnly
"Maybe not." Nya reassured
"They didn't win. We lost because we got overconfident. We've got to regroup. They're gonna pay." Lloyd says and kicks a helmet, which Kai picks it up.
"The marking...this changes everything." The red ninja muttered as the team began to regroup and strategize their next move and to save their Master, Cinder, and Sparx.
—-
Chapter 26 spell check and edited