Ninjago: Illusionary

Episode 3: The Agreement

The morning light filtered softly through the blinds as Zane woke, his mind still clouded with questions. The migraine had finally eased, but a fog of uncertainty lingered. Who was the Nightmare Queen? What role did she play in Mr. G's schemes? How were Mr. E and Mr. F connected to all of this? And then, there was Avilin—what was its true nature? The Peacock and Falcon… what did they symbolize?

A gentle knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Everyone is outside in the courtyard," PIXAL's voice was calm yet insistent.

"I'll be out soon," Zane replied, slowly rising to prepare for the day. Despite the ache in his head subsiding, the unanswered questions gnawed at him like shadows.

Outside, the courtyard buzzed with quiet energy. The ninja were already gathered, each lost in their thoughts, forming a loose circle around the space.

Kai, as usual, focused on his katana, the sound of metal scraping against stone breaking the stillness. Cole stood off to the side, arms folded, staring at nothing in particular. Jay's fingers twitched as he fiddled with a gadget, its mechanical hum filling the air. In the center of the group stood Lloyd, his hands animated as he spoke, deep in discussion. Nya stood beside him, her gaze thoughtful but sharp.

As Zane approached, the others looked up, their expressions a blend of relief and curiosity.

"Zane! Good to see you up," Lloyd greeted him, stepping forward. "How's the head?"

"Much better," Zane replied, though his tone betrayed the storm brewing within. "But I still have so many questions."

Cole, breaking the quiet, was the first to voice what everyone was thinking. "Alright, let's get to the point. Who exactly was that guy?"

"Mr. G," Nya suggested cautiously. "But why now? And why us?"

Zane took a deep breath before speaking. "There's someone who might have answers. Someone who worked with Mr. E and Mr. F in the past. Someone who has a vested interest in helping us now."

Lloyd raised an eyebrow. "You don't mean…?"

Zane's nod was grim. "Harumi."

"She was Mr. E's superior in the Sons of Garmadon, and Mr. F was her subordinate in the Crystal Army," Zane continued. "She must know more about where Mr. E and Mr. F came from. It's hard to believe she built those things in the old palace without drawing attention—let alone three of them."

"It makes sense," PIXAL added thoughtfully. "Harumi is the only lead we have right now. If anyone has answers, it's her."

"But what about Mr. G?" Nya interjected. "He's still out there, and he's not just going to sit idly by."

"I can stay behind and track Mr. G," PIXAL offered.

Jay frowned, recalling past dangers. "Remember last time you stayed behind? You almost got frozen by the Oni!"

"Don't worry," PIXAL responded dryly, "there are no Oni around this time."

Kai shot PIXAL a concerned look. "Still, if Mr. G has another weapon or tricks up his sleeve, we need to be ready for anything."

Nya smirked. "Well, look who's playing it cautious now. I thought you were the hothead."

Zane paused, his mind replaying the haunting images of the attack. The eerie chill that had gripped them all when Mr. G revealed his power was still fresh in his mind. "We need to be prepared," he said finally. "But we also need to learn what we can from Harumi. Let's split up—Lloyd, Nya, and I visit her at Kryptarium Prison, and Kai, Cole, and Jay help PIXAL, Master Wu, and Garmadon track down Mr. G."

Lloyd's eyes narrowed in thought. "I like that plan. We can cover more ground that way."

Master Wu and Lord Garmadon appeared in the courtyard, their presence shifting the atmosphere.

"Splitting up seems logical," Wu said, his voice steady yet heavy with meaning. "But remember—what we're facing is more complicated than it might seem. Stay in constant contact and trust each other."

"Mr. G may not be alone," Garmadon added. "If you do split your forces, do not take unnecessary risks."

The ninja nodded, the gravity of their mission settling on them. As they gathered their gear, Zane's mind remained restless. Harumi's cooperation was far from guaranteed, and their divided forces added to the tension.

The Destiny's Bounty hummed with familiar steadiness as it carried Zane, Lloyd, and Nya toward Kryptarium Prison. The prison's cold, imposing silhouette grew larger on the horizon, a grim reminder of the delicate line between enemy and ally.

As the ship docked, Zane's thoughts turned to Harumi. Convincing her to cooperate would be no small feat. Yet, she might be their only hope of unraveling the mystery surrounding Mr. G and the shadowy forces at play.

Inside the prison visitation room, the air was thick with tension. As Zane, Lloyd, and Nya waited, the sound of approaching footsteps signaled the arrival of their enigmatic informant. Harumi—once one of their greatest enemies—was now their reluctant key to the truth. The enemy is now the prisoner in front of them with guards watching over them.

"Hello," Harumi responds in a cordial yet sincere tone, "I hadn't expected you guys to come to see me."

"Look," Lloyd responded quickly, urgency in his voice, "This is important. We need to ask you some questions."

Harumi raised an eyebrow. "Straight to the point, I see. Well, ask away."

Zane wasted no time. "You worked with or were a superior of Mr. E and Mr. F. Where did they come from?"

Harumi's expression faltered, surprise flickering across her face. She quickly glanced around the room, her eyes darting nervously. Then, in a hushed whisper, she spoke. "It was when I first started the Sons of Garmadon. I had trouble recruiting members, and then this woman in a black dress and mourning veil appeared. She offered me a deal: I would gain a competent first member in the form of Mr. E to help in my search for more recruits. In exchange, she asked that I find something called Heart Pieces. She said it was something… not technological, but spiritual. A substance that resides within you, Zane. That's all she told me, and I never saw her again. Even when she delivered Mr. F to me, she wasn't there. It was almost as if she wanted to cover her tracks."

The revelation shook Zane to his core. His power source, his "heart," pulsed like a human heartbeat, faster than shock itself. He opened his chest and gazed at the mysterious blue substance that powered him. A sense of eerie familiarity began to resurface in his mind. The resulting fear came quickly, as his thoughts returned to the Nightmare Queen—an omen of horror and intrigue embedded deep in his soul.

"You'd better hurry," Harumi warned, her tone shifting. "At any moment, her spies could—"

Before she could finish, a gust of air and a sudden crash interrupted the moment as Mr. G leapt from the vents, launching a violent attack on the guards. In an instant, he grabbed Harumi, pulling her into a deadly hold.

Nya's hands glowed with water energy as she dashed forward, launching a powerful wave toward Mr. G, hoping to catch him off guard. The water slammed into his metallic body, pushing him back momentarily, but it wasn't enough to loosen his iron grip on Harumi.

Zane's mind raced. He couldn't waste a second. "Cover me," he said urgently to Lloyd.

Lloyd nodded, his face hardening with resolve. He moved swiftly, placing himself between Zane and Mr. G, using his green energy to create a barrier. But Mr. G was relentless. He found a way through, bypassing the barrier with a calculated strike.

Harumi gasped for breath as she struggled against Mr. G's grip. "Zane, you don't understand… she's—"

"I know," Zane cut her off, his mind already piecing together the horrific truth. The Nightmare Queen was orchestrating everything, using Mr. G as her puppet. They couldn't let this continue.

Without thinking, Zane tapped into the energy within him, his chest glowing faintly as he unleashed his most powerful technique. A concentrated blast of energy shot out, hitting Mr. G square in the chest and sending him crashing into the wall.

The room fell into a tense silence.

"Zane!" Lloyd shouted. "Get her out of here, now!"

Lloyd moved immediately, grabbing Harumi and pulling her behind him, while Nya created a protective barrier around them.

Zane stood his ground, locking eyes with Mr. G. The two Nindroids circled each other, their movements deliberate, like predators preparing to hunt each other for the role of the apex predator. The tension in the room was palpable. Zane stood his ground, eyes locked with Mr. G, whose metallic body slowly rose from the ground, shaking off the force of the energy blast. The air crackled with anticipation as the two Nindroids faced each other, like opposing forces of nature—one driven by purpose, the other by sheer will.

Mr. G's cold, mechanical gaze was fixed on Zane, his body humming with quiet power. Despite his silence, his movements spoke volumes. He took a slow, calculated step forward, his fingers twitching in readiness, anticipating the next move.

Zane narrowed his eyes, calculating. His chest glowed faintly, the energy within him resonating with a deep, unnatural hum. He didn't need words to know the stakes; this was a battle for survival, for answers.

Without warning, Mr. G lunged forward, his hand shooting out in a blur of motion. The speed and precision were almost inhuman, his attack swift and ruthless.

Zane barely managed to block the strike, the impact sending a shockwave through his body. He staggered back, his footing slipping on the smooth floor. The force behind Mr. G's blow was enough to rattle him, but he quickly regained his balance. His eyes never left his opponent.

Lloyd, standing off to the side, clenched his fists in frustration. He wanted to help, but Zane had insisted on handling Mr. G. The silent menace before them was a force to be reckoned with.

Nya, her water powers still crackling at her fingertips, kept a watchful eye on Harumi, who was huddled behind a protective barrier, her eyes darting nervously between the fight and the exit. The tension in the room was suffocating, and everyone knew that if they weren't careful, Mr. G would take control once again.

Zane surged forward, his movements graceful and precise, the chill of the fight taking over. He summoned a burst of energy, his chest glowing brighter, and launched a powerful wave toward Mr. G. The energy crackled through the air, slamming into Mr. G's chest, sending him skidding back several feet.

But Mr. G, unfazed by the hit, let out an almost mechanical growl as he pushed off the ground. His body seemed to shift, his limbs contorting in unnatural angles, as though he were more machine than man. He moved with such fluidity that Zane had to quickly adjust his stance.

With a powerful motion, Mr. G drew a blade from his side—a sleek, gleaming piece of sharp metal, pulsing with dark energy. Zane's eyes widened slightly. It wasn't just a weapon; it was an extension of his will, a deadly tool forged for destruction.

Zane's mind raced. He had to think fast, or they were all in trouble. Mr. G was not just a physical threat—his strategic mind and silent resolve made him even more dangerous. Zane had fought many adversaries before, but this was different. This fight would test him in ways he couldn't predict.

Mr. G slashed the blade through the air with a speed that left Zane no time to react. The metallic hum of the sword cut through the room like a storm. Zane barely managed to block with his own energy, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through his body. His arms ached from the pressure.

In that split second of vulnerability, Mr. G closed in, his blade poised for a deadly strike. Zane's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't let Mr. G land the killing blow.

Thinking quickly, Zane summoned his inner power and used his agility to twist out of the way, narrowly avoiding the blade. He launched himself backward, narrowly missing a second slash that would've cleaved him in two. But Mr. G was relentless. He was already in pursuit.

Zane didn't have time to catch his breath. As Mr. G advanced again, Zane focused, drawing on the full extent of his ice power reserves. A plan began to form in his mind—a desperate gamble. He couldn't outlast Mr. G, but he could outthink him.

With a sudden, fluid motion, Zane used his enhanced speed to outmaneuver Mr. G's next strike, sidestepping with precise timing. He feigned a retreat, luring Mr. G into overextending his reach.

It worked.

Mr. G's strike cut through the air, but Zane had already pivoted, unleashing a focused burst of ice straight into Mr. G's back. The blast hit with pinpoint accuracy, sending a jolt of power straight through the machine's core.

The force of the impact caused Mr. G to stumble forward, his movements jerky and uncoordinated for a brief moment. Zane seized the opportunity, stepping in close to deliver a powerful blow to his opponent's exposed side. His fist connected with a resounding clang, shaking the ground beneath them.

Mr. G recoiled, his body sparking with electrical discharges as he staggered back. Zane's heart raced—this was their chance. He quickly pressed forward, his energy crackling around him as he launched a rapid series of strikes at the weakened Mr. G, his movements precise and calculated.

Each hit seemed to break through the layers of Mr. G's defenses. The machine was still strong, but cracks were beginning to show.

Then, with a surge of power, Zane delivered the final blow—a concentrated pulse of energy aimed directly at the core of Mr. G's power source.

The room was filled with a blinding light as the energy burst tore through Mr. G's chest, sending him crashing to the ground with a loud, metallic thud. Sparks flew from his body, his systems flickering and shutting down one by one. The eerie, mechanical hum that had once filled the air fell silent.

Zane stood over him, chest heaving, eyes narrowed in resolve. The battle was won, but the war was far from over. Mr. G had been a powerful adversary, but Zane knew that the Nightmare Queen's true plans were only just beginning to unfold.

Lloyd approached cautiously, his eyes scanning the damaged machine. "You alright?"

Zane nodded, his mind already shifting toward the next move. "We need to find out what she wants. Before it's too late."

Harumi, still huddled behind the barrier, gave a wary glance at the fallen Mr. G. "You might've stopped him," she said softly, "but the Nightmare Queen's influence is far-reaching. You won't stop her that easily."

Zane didn't answer. He couldn't afford to be distracted by doubt. There was no time for hesitation. He turned back to the team, his resolve hardening. "Let's go. We have work to do. Harumi, would you know anything more about what is going on?"

"I might." Harumi responds, "But I can't say for sure without knowing a bit more about the situation myself from your end. In return, you guys will help me set up that foundation I talked about, remember?"

Lloyd, Nya, and Zane huddled to discuss the next step. "Are you sure about this?" Nya asked, looking warily at Harumi.

"She may have been our enemy before," Zane answered, his voice steady but resolute, "but recently, she's been working to repair Ninjago after the Crystal Invasion. And she seems genuinely terrified of the Nightmare Queen."

Lloyd stepped in, his face serious but measured. "I think we should give her a chance. If she's truly afraid of the Nightmare Queen, then we might be able to use that to our advantage."

Nya crossed her arms, still skeptical. "But what if she's playing us? Harumi is no stranger to deception. We can't just let her off the hook because she's scared of some unknown enemy."

Zane's eyes remained fixed on Harumi, who had remained silent, watching them closely. "I understand the hesitation, Nya. But the circumstances are different now. If she really is afraid, then she's more vulnerable than ever, and that could make her a valuable ally."

Lloyd nodded in agreement. "She knows more about Mr. E and Mr. F than anyone else. We need that information. And if we help her establish her foundation, it could give us leverage in case she tries anything. We said we would give her a chance, anyways."

Nya sighed but relented. "Fine. But if she betrays us, I'm not going to let her get away with it."

The three came out of their huddle and faced Harumi.

"Alright. You got yourself a deal. Remember, if this is a trick, then you lost your chance." Zane responds as he raises his hand for a shake.

"Of course," Harumi says, as she mimics his movement and they shake on their deal.

As their hands parted, the weight of the agreement hung in the air, both uneasy and necessary. The silence was broken by Zane's voice, steady and unwavering: "We have no time to waste. The Nightmare Queen's plans are already in motion, and we must stay one step ahead."

Lloyd, Nya, and Zane exchanged determined glances, their bond stronger than ever as they faced the uncertain path ahead. The first step had been taken, but the true battle—one far darker and more elusive than any they had faced before—was just beginning.

And with that, the wind whispered of things to come, and the shadows stretched longer. The fate of Ninjago, and perhaps the world, rested in their hands.