Several months later, the Ninja were all meating at Borg towers for the first time in almost a year.
Lloyd and the young woman from several months ago, now wearing a teal gi, were walking through the halls as he said "Let me go in first so I can introduce you."
"Got it." she nodded, wondering how the other Ninja would take to her.
She had been training for several months with Lloyd, learning not only how to use her elemental skill but Ninja skills as well.
So far she was doing okay but…. 'Am I really ready for a big mission.'
She had done a few small things, nothing very newsworthy, but it was enough to help get her ready for many situations.
Inside the room….
"Not everyone comes back Cole, but that isn't why I called you here. First I want you all to meet our newest teammate. You can come in now."
The Ninja were surprised to hear this and turned to see the door open once more as a young woman their age came in.
She had short brown hair, pale olive skin, large brown eyes behind black rimmed glasses, and finally a light teal and dark teal gi with wind marks decorating it.
"Guys this is Ava Tempest, the new elemental master of wind. Or wind ninja for short." Lloyd introduced.
They all were a bit confused at first till Nya came up and said "Hi it's nice to meet you. I'm Nya and these are…" she names each of the others.
"Yeah I remember from the news and from what Lloyd told me, it's nice to meet you all." Ava replied.
"So Lloyd, why didn't you tell us about her?" Cole asks.
"Well Ava's my first student and I guess I wanted her to be a surprise." Lloyd shrugged.
"So how's Sensei Lloyd been doing with your training?" Kai smirked.
"Really good actually, he's young but he's really experienced." Ava replied.
"That's our boy." Jay smirked.
Lloyd rolled his eyes and said "Okay, okay, enough chit chat. There's another reason I called you all here today."
He brought out his phone and showed an image "It's because of this."
That's when they saw the SOG sign on it.
"You're father? Lord Garmadon?" Cole asked.
"After poking around, I've learned it's the symbol to…." Lloyd started.
"The Sons of Garmadon. A mysterious criminal syndicate growing in prominence in Ninjago City." Zane interrupted.
"How did you know?" Ava asked.
"I have been doing an investigation of my own for sometime." Zane replies.
"72 hours ago, they stole a powerful relic from Cyrus Borg. Some mask…."
"Not some mask." They all turned to see an elderly man in fancy clothes come in. "The oni mask. There are only three in existence."
"Wough, I'm confused. How can there be three masks, when you just said it's the only mask?" Jay askes.
"Not only, Jay. Oni." Nya corrects.
"The oni are said to be all powerful beings. Demon that predate Ninjago." Zane explains.
"Wait you're saying they're real, why would Borg have one of those, why not destroy it!" Ava exclaimed.
The ninja looked at each other, not sure how to answer, that was a good question.
"Ech mask embodies one of the three oni warlords. If all three masks are united, whoever owns them will wield tremendous power." the elder man continued.
"Again, why not destroy them?" Ava asks.
"The power in them protects them from being destroyed easily," he replied.
"Ninja, this is Mr. Hutchins, master at arms and counsel to the royal family." Lloyd finally introduced. "I've asked him here."
"The royal family?" Kai looked confused.
Ava had heard of them but they were very secluded.
"Apologies if you're not familiar. They honor their privacy. As they do the safety of Ninjago." Hutchins replies.
"I've heard they never leave the palace." Ava added.
"Correct." Hutchins nods.
"Let me guess, they have an oni mask, too." Cole replies.
"Two, now there's two?" Jay askes, but Nya covers his mouth.
Hutchins explains about the emperor's speech and the worry that the SOG would try to steal the mask.
Lloyd accepted and they got ready to go.
As they were heading there Ava had to ask "Why would the royal family keep something so dangerous with them?"
"Perhaps they feel as the imperial family of Ninjago they must take responsibility for the relic. Or because it is a historical item, they are entitled to keep it." Zane replies.
"I still say they should have found a way to destroy them, having something so dangerous in your own home is bound to bring trouble." Ava frowns.
"But that's why we're going, to help keep trouble out." Lloyd replied as everyone else nodded.
Ava sighed, this felt like it was gonna be bigger trouble then it should be.
Ninjago
At the palace the Emperor gave his speech, the Ninja hiding about as they waited for an attack to happen.
Ava was keeping her guard up as she tried to block out the noise.
"Are you okay?" Zane asks.
"Just trying to focus."
They then heard the talking over the coms Nya annoyed about the royal family and not having any real power and what was their purpose.
Zane replied, "Their purpose is to be protected, as do all our traditions."
"We protect people Zane, as for traditions, there are some I think should be forgotten." Ava added, confusing the ice ninja but he was distracted.
"I believe Master Lloyd has spotted something of interest." Zane added.
Kai replied "Looks like he's got an eye for the princess."
"I guess green is her favorite color." Jay added.
Ava had to chuckle. It was cute to see Lloyd act his age, he was always so serious.
"You do know I can hear you right? The Emperor is almost finished, let's do our job." Lloyd replied.
Lloyd seems to spot something as he says "Be on the lookout."
Ava stiffened looking down at the crowd, what did he see? There was so much noise and movement.
"I see a.." Lloyd was interrupted as a popping sound went off.
Everyone began to panic, but in the end it was just firecrackers.
Ava sighed, as she and Zane jumped down. "So far nothing's happened."
"That is a good thing, no?" Zane asks.
"Quiet before the storm Zane." Ava reminds.
She was right, usually things were calm before something big happened. "Then we shall have to stay on alert."
Suddenly they were all invited to be guests in the palace which has never happened.
They accepted, Ava feeling this would be a good way to keep an eye on the royal family and the masks.
It was strange entering the palace for Ava, the Ninja looked excited but she knew they had seen lots of cool stuff before. Nya was the only one not impressed at all.
As the door opened Hutchins said "Welcome to the royal palace, also known as the palace of secrets."
"Oh what kind of secrets?" Kai asked.
"If I told you that then It wouldn't be a secret." Hutchins replied.
"Probably a bunch of hidden passageways and secret artifacts along with Ninjago history that no one else knows." Ava replied.
Hutchins seemed to glare but said nothing as he led the way.
"I believe your assumption is correct." Zane smiles, sensing the man's frustrations.
"It's not hard to guess if you see enough movies and read books." Ava smirks, glad she had solved it.
When they really looked though they gasped.
"I already feel royal." Jay said.
"It's beautiful." Zane added.
"Yeah. I could really get used to living in a place like this." Cole smiled.
"Not me, it feels off." Ava frowns, not used to such big and fancy places.
"Well don't, we're only here as guests, then back to protecting Ninjago." Lloyd told Cole.
Nya huffed saying "Too much gold in my opinion."
Ava raised a brow and said "Hey I get you don't like the royal stuff, and I just got here, but let's try to make the best of it. Besides, anything could happen at any time."
"Guess you're right." Nya replied as they walked on.
They were soon introduced to the royals, they bowed respectfully,
"We are honored by your presence." the Emperor said.
"The honor is all ours." Lloyd replied.
The princess then said "I have read much about you. Your heroics will surely become legend."
Ava felt weird here, she was in no way part of those adventures so hearing all this was uncomfortable and made her feel kind of out of place.
She then came up to each of them as she told them to stand.
"Kai, the hothead who acts without question. Cole, the rock and foundation of the team. Jay, the joker whose mouth is as fast as lightning. Zane, the cold and calculating android."
"Nondroid, your highness." Zane corrected with a bow.
'Why does it feel like she's mostly insulting them.' Ava frowns, she knew the Ninja very little but didn't think most of the descriptions fit.
"Nya, the girl. The girl I've wanted to be ever since I first heard about her. With her mastery of water and her skill that could rival any master."
"I like her." Nya bowed.
"And Master Lloyd the green ninja. The youngest but most powerful protector. The chosen one. I too have lost my parents, but we are both not without family."
The royals then explain how they adopted Harumi.
Then Harumi looked at Ava a bit startled and said "And…who are you?"
"I'm Ava, I'm new to the team." she replied.
"This is her first real mission, but she's experienced helping to protect ninjago already." Lloyd replied then said "Thank you for inviting us into your home."
The nobles then explained it was Harumi's idea to have them here as a way to protect them and keep the oni mask out of dangerous hands.
Lloyd agreed and Hutchins showed them the palace, at the buffet as Hutchins explained all you can eat cake Cole spoke up.
"Uh, thanks but I gave up sweets. My body is a temple."
"Ever since Master Wu went missing, Cole has been a real party pooper." Jay added.
"Party pooper?" Zane asked.
"I'll explain later." Jay whispered.
'I have to see that.' Ava smirks, Lloyd had explained his friend's antics and she knew this would be good.
Hutchins then told them about the secret passageways "New it!" Ava exclaimed as some of them chuckled, but Kai thought it was a good idea to find them as he threw books off the shelves.
Ava was covering her face as Lloyd patted her back as he whispered, "You'll get used to it."
Once Hutchins left Nya whispered "Anyone else think there's something a little off about this guy?"
"He's holding something back." Lloyd agreed.
"He does work in a place called the palace of secrets. Probably in the job description." Ava reminds.
"That does sound logical." Zane nods.
At last they came to the oni mask and Ava shivered "One word, ugly."
"Uh. A face only a mother could love. Why would anyone want that?" Kai said.
"That's up to us to figure out." Lloyd said as they came up.
"Just being in the same room with it gives me the heebie-jeebies." Jay added.
"If this is the mask of deception, what was stolen from Borg industries?" Nya asked.
"The mask of vengeance." Hutchins replied.
"And who has the third one?" Cole asked.
"No one knows the location of the mask of hatred, but my sensors tell me it won't be gone for long." Zane added.
"Zane is correct, though no one has found the third mask, it has given the royal family little resolve." Hutchins explains.
"The names of those masks, deception, vengeance and hatred, there's definitely a pattern." Ava frowns.
"Yeah they're all evil." Jay shrugs.
"No I mean that someone wants those specific traits or these specific traits are needed. Can the masks be amplified by the user's own emotions of the specific mask?"
"I am uncertain, but it is something to look into." Hutchins held his chin.
"I will take a chance to look over this idea. You may be on to something Ava." Zane replied.
Ava flushed saying "Um, thanks." a little embarrassed by the compliment.
"All we know is that dark forces are looking to acquire it, and that's why we need an eye on it at all times." Hutchins reminds them.
"Don't worry, we're ninja. We're experts at this kind of thing." Kai tries to reassure the bodyguard. Which didn't seem to work at all.
Ninjago
Inside the palace Jay and Ava were enjoying the cake as Cole looked on.
"Are you sure you don't want any? This cake is delicious." Jay said.
Cole looked on drollign but said "Ah, my body is a temple." as Jay gulped down more.
Ava smacked Jay's arm making him yell.
"Jay don't tempt Cole like that, it's mean. Sorry Cole I have trouble resisting sweets. But I really admire your resolve." Ava smiles.
"Thanks, I'm glad someone appreciates and respects my decisions." Cole smiles.
"Great, now there's two of them." Jay huffs "At least the buffet is clear of any threats, and they're out of baloney."
Zane came up then and said "Can we discuss now what is a party pooper?"
"Uch. Jay's upset I'm the responsible one. With Master Wu gone, someone has to keep us in check." Cole replied.
"Shouldn't that be Lloyd's job?" Ava raised a brow, from what she knew he was not only the leader but held the title of master at the moment.
"In that case you are correct. You are responsible. It is nice to have a pooper at the party." Zane says as he walks off.
Jay and Ava burst out laugnint as Ava follows and says "Wiat Zane, no that's now how it's said…"
As she caught up she said "Though I do love how you used it I think Cole might have been offended."
"Oh, should I go back and apologize?" Zane asks.
"If you want, but I think they understand you plus it was funny, but I think Cole would rather not be called a pooper anymore since Jay's already giving him a hard time about it. I feel bad for him, I know how it's like to be the responsible one and get mocked for it."
"You sympathize with his situation."
"Yeah basically, I was always the good girl growing up. You know, that's dangerous, let's not do that, or telling the teacher. That also got me called tattle tale." Ava sighs.
"I suppose I can understand. Thank you for telling me I will not bother Cole like that again."
"No problem, I have the same issue sometimes. I'll say something that I shouldn't or I use a certain word incorrectly. Usually in spanish."
"You know spanish?" Zane looked curious.
"Por si soy the latinja."
(Of course I am from latinja.)
"From the western most part of Ninjago, yes I've heard of it. Legend says the original inhabitants of that land were from another realm and came to Ninjago to escape enslavement and execution from men in metal suits and long sharp spears." Zane's eyes widened.
Ava nods saying "That's the legend written on the pyramids, I'm not sure if I completely believe it. But with all the crazy stuff that's happened over the years, who knows."
Zane nodded as the two sat down in a hall not far from the mask "I have been looking over your idea. And based on my research your theory may be correct. The person looking for such items must also need these emotions to be able to use them at their full potential."
"So we would need to find someone who is hateful, deceitful, and vengeful, whether towards the royal family or to Ninjago as a whole." Ava frowns.
"That may be difficult, there are many suspects." Zane frowns.
"Unless you put that part of them being obsessed with Garmaodn, maybe even someone who wants to be like him." Ava frowns.
Zane's eyes widened at this as he said "Do you think so?"
"It's a possibility. Garmadon had allies, right?" Ava asked.
"Yes but none that liked him."
"None you know anyway."
"That is true, someone clearly admires Garmadon and wishes to be like him, or possibly honor him in some way?" Zane frowns.
"I hate when there are so many unknowns. Maybe Lloyd has an idea, he'd know his father better than any of us." Ava replied.
"That is true we should speak to him."
With that they looked around but couldn't find him, until later when everyone saw Lloyd walk in, a far off look on his face.
Let's just say, they needed details after that, but they wouldn't get any till morning.
They did tell Lloyd what they found out, but he couldn't think of anyone who would respect his father so much.
With that they went to bed with no answers.