If someone would've told Lloyd that he would be dragged by a monkey through the woods, helpless as his limbs connected with every single rock in their path. He would've told them that they were delusional.

In reality, he should've known better

Everything in the universe always seemed to be against not just him, but the Ninja especially. He honestly wondered if he did sometime in his past to deserve such a devastating fate.

Dragged by a monkey, hit to death by flying rocks

It wasn't the best appeal for someone as famous as him. Nor was the sad fact that something as universal as a monkey could take him down with its little, small fingers.

At some point, a rock hit him in the head. Causing a rough shake to knock him into the world of blissful sleep. It was peaceful for the most part, nothing bad to arouse his inner demon. But the waking up part was less blissful.

Lloyd gingerly sat up, rubbing his head lightly. Glancing up, the young man found himself looking at a large, spacious cave in front of him.

"Lloyd!"

The green ninja turned around to see his fellow brothers and sisters lagging behind, breath high and all. Looks of concern were passed between them, but Lloyd didn't know if they were for him at all. He was a little too focused on the cave in front of him. Injury forgotten, he stood up.

"Lloyd, are you ok?!" Kai called out, wringing an arm around him once they found each other. "Did the monkey hurt you?"

"I don't think so, just roughed me up around the edges."

Each of the ninja took a turn to hug their former brother, before moving to the cave themselves.

"Where's the monkey?" Nya asked, looking around.

"We must've scared him off," Cole chuckled.

"Maybe he's inside the cave," the ice ninja suggested. "We could go look around to see."

The sound of exploring a new landmark sounded far better than what happened previously. And there was really no other choice. It was this or the monkey. Lloyd had enough monkey business for that day.

He led the way, grabbing a flashlight from his backpack. At first, there was nothing by darkness, of which Jay mentioned his fear of the absence of light . Nya was there to calm him down, holding his hand almost the entire time. But even through all of the darkness littering the stoned walls, there came a point where rocks could be seen. Big, large, and unescapable.

It was vastly intimidating

"Wow…those are some," Jay gulped. "Really big rocks."

Kai chuckled. "Do you realize that we are in one giant rock, right? Kinda weird to be scared of some tiny ones."

"They are not tiny!"

"And you forget that we are with an earth ninja. Honestly Jay, use that noggin of yours." He reached over and rubbed the electric ninja's hair vigorously. After some squirming, the fire ninja eventually stopped the action.

"Guys, lets pay attention, ok? I have a weird feeling about this place." Lloyd muttered the last part quietly.

It was a distant feeling he would say, to believe that everything wasn't as it seemed. Sure, there were rocks, sand, and….and more rocks. But something about this cave was not feeling right. It should've been louder, and at some point, the ninja should've been able to see any sign of wildlife. But there was no wildlife, no sounds of rushing water. Only the deafening sound of silence.

It was eerie

"Hello?" Kai called out but received nothing in response. "Anyone there?"

A few rocks shifted

The ninja continued to walk, tired, bruised, and ultimately wanting to go back towards the hotel. But they were far too in to return. If they wanted to rest, it would be in the cave.

"I wonder if there is a secret passage, and we're just not seeing it," Jay pointed out, though nobody paid him half a mind. "What if there's a secret button somewhere."

"If there was, wouldn't Zane have been able to see it a while ago?" Cole's fuse was starting to run short. He hadn't meant it to sound so rude, but he needed food...and sleep…and more food.

Zane's pack had been left in front of the cave due to the huge monkey fiasco. Which sadly, also had all their food in it as well.

Foodless or not, nothing was stopping the ninja from exploring further

At some point, everyone dropped. Leaning against the hardened cave walls, almost everyone looked ready to set camp where they stood.

"This is useless," Lloyd sighed. "We've been exploring all day and have found absolutely nothing. Maybe we should start to head back."

He leaned against the walls a little harder

Thump!

A camouflaged door opened nearby, revealing another unexplored portion of the cave.

"Color my stars, Jay was right!" Cole spoke out, astonished at what the door was presenting.

For inside was the most beautiful view, small and large green pieces of gems sticking out from the grey stone. There were gems on both the ground and ceiling, presenting the idea of a limitless supply.

"Are those…emeralds?" The water ninja walked towards one, gently stroking the smooth gem. "it's breathtaking."

The other ninja filled in, their eyes going everywhere to make out their surroundings. Meanwhile, the door shut behind them, concealing any thought of such a place.

Such a place this was

Lloyd's hand glided over the crystals, falling into a rhyme. The feeling was back, tugging at his heartstrings. Something about these emeralds, so to speak, were calling out to him, enticing him to look more into the past given.

He just couldn't explain it

Yet he so dearly wanted to

The ninja didn't understand, or at least he knew they wouldn't. Their eyes showed pleasure, but not familiarity. Not what his eyes were currently showcasing.

He felt connected to these crystals, the others most likely didn't

"I wondered when you would be arriving, you must love to keep me waiting." A voice rang out a few feet from where the green ninja was standing. "What an odd bunch."

Lloyd turned, his eyes landing on a beautiful figure. But before he could ask anything, only one question came to his mind.

"Who are you?"