MTLNOVEL Chapter 9: the green ninja
The Destiny's Bounty rocked gently as the ninja gathered on the deck, each one ready to put their skills to the test. The bright sun cast long shadows across the ship as they prepared for another round of training.
Cole, his dark eyes focused and his movements swift, raised his hand, summoning the power within him. "Earth!" With a mighty roar, he slammed his fist into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent what appeared to be a Serpentine flying through the air.
Meanwhile, in another room, Kai had stumbled across something unexpected. He stood in front of the mirror, holding a vibrant green gi with a determined grin spreading across his face.
"Whoo-hoo!" Kai shouted, ecstatic as he slipped into the gi, his movements flowing with excitement. He twirled in front of the mirror, feeling the weight of the fabric, imagining what it would mean to wear the Green Ninja's symbol of destiny.
On the deck, Jay, feeling the energy surge through him, took the opportunity to demonstrate his own growing power. "Lightning!" He thrust his hands forward, electricity crackling in the air. The Serpentine dummy he aimed at twitched and jolted from the shock.
Zane, always calculated, swiftly followed suit. "Ice!" With a smooth motion, he unleashed a blast of cold, freezing the Serpentine in place. The training dummy, now frozen solid, stood eerily still.
Nya, her arms crossed and her gaze sharp, observed the display. "Good training. Your powers are getting stronger. But where's Kai?"
The question hung in the air for a moment before a soft strum of guitar strings echoed from nearby. Jinx, leaning casually against a stack of crates, was playing his guitar—adding a strange, almost melancholy melody to the boys' training. His eyes fluttered closed, then opened again as he let out a heavy sigh.
"Oh, Kai..." Jinx muttered under his breath, his tone a mixture of amusement and quiet disappointment.
In the next room, Kai, still in the Green Ninja suit, was struggling to unlock his True Potential. Standing with clenched fists, his brow furrowed, he tried again. "Fire! Unlock Fire! Uh, Fire go! Shoot flames! Oh, come on." He paced back and forth, frustration mounting as he glanced at his friends. "Everyone else can do it. So can you. BRING HEAT!"
The others, having gathered in the doorway, stifled their laughter. They watched Kai's futile attempts in silence, then exchanged glances.
"Very nice," Cole said with a smirk, crossing his arms. "Perhaps if you tried the phrase 'Fire dork,' maybe it might work."
Kai froze, his face turning a deeper shade of red as he turned to face his friends. "How long have you all been watching?"
Jay grinned, unable to hide his amusement. "The Green Ninja suit. That's awesome!"
Jinx, who had been playing a soft riff on his guitar, let out an exaggerated sigh. "I'm not even mad or annoyed, just… disappointed." His voice was heavy with sarcasm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—a quiet recognition of Kai's struggle.
Kai paused for a moment, the weight of Jinx's words sinking in. His shoulders slumped, and he sighed deeply. "Well, I was looking for some kind of clue from Sensei, and then I found this." He gestured to the Green Ninja suit, his tone a little less confident now.
Zane, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward. "But you know only he who is foretold to face Lord Garmadon is destined to be the Green Ninja, and only he should wear the Green Ninja outfit. So Sensei would most likely be very—"
Kai cut him off, shaking his head. "I know, I know. But I thought if I just tried it on, it might help me see my True Potential. It's not fair that you guys have unlocked your cool powers, and I still haven't. Besides, Sensei's gone, and we don't know when he's coming back—"
The door to the room opened with a creak.
"Hello? I'm home."
The voice was unmistakable.
"Sensei!" The others exclaimed in unison, rushing to greet him.
Kai, still standing in front of the mirror, quickly yanked the Green Ninja suit off and scrambled to change back into his regular gi.
On the deck, the rest of the ninja surrounded Wu with excited grins, each one eager to see their teacher again.
"Ah. It's so good to be home," Wu said with a deep, contented sigh. He placed his staff down, stretching his arms as though shaking off the weariness of his travels.
Zane stepped forward first, his expression filled with relief. "So glad you're back."
Cole followed suit, his voice light with curiosity. "Did you bring us anything?"
Jinx, still leaning against the crates with his guitar slung over his shoulder, gave a sly grin. "Forget them. Did you get me anything?" His tone was teasing, but there was a hint of genuine anticipation in his voice, making his words feel less like a joke and more like a challenge.
Wu raised an eyebrow, his expression one of amusement at the unexpected request. "Hmm, perhaps I did."
As the ninja gathered around, the weight of the moment began to settle. With Wu's return, there was a renewed sense of hope—and maybe, just maybe, they were one step closer to unlocking the mysteries that awaited them.
The Destiny's Bounty rocked gently beneath the setting sun as the ninja gathered in the main room, eager to fill Sensei Wu in on all the events that had transpired during his absence.
"Oh, Sensei, have you missed a lot," Jay exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement. "Zane's a Nindroid, Nya's the mysterious Samurai, Cole's a dancer—"
"Zane is a...what?" Wu's voice was filled with surprise, but his calm demeanor never faltered.
"You've been gone a while," Zane added, stepping forward. "We'll catch you up later. But you should know, all of us except for Kai have discovered our True Potential."
Wu nodded slowly, his gaze moving from Zane to the others. "Have you now? Where is Kai?"
As if on cue, Kai stepped forward, still in his regular gi, but with a wide grin. "Right here. So glad you're back safe."
But before anyone could say another word, a shadow loomed behind Wu.
"Aah! Sensei, behind you!" Kai shouted, spinning around just in time to spot Lord Garmadon's ominous form. Without thinking, he lunged toward him, but Zane was quicker, diving in front of Wu to protect him.
"Sensei!" Zane's voice was slow and deliberate, as though time itself had paused for a heartbeat.
Kai, his eyes wide with shock, barely managed to react. "Ugh! He's got four arms."
Garmadon's deep laugh echoed through the room. "So we meet again."
"He must've followed you, Sensei!" Kai yelled, tightening his fists in frustration.
Jinx, standing off to the side with his guitar slung over his shoulder, rolled his eyes in annoyance. In a smooth motion, shadow chains shot from his fingertips, binding Kai's mouth shut.
"Mmmph," Kai grumbled, unable to speak.
Wu, sensing the tension rising, held up a hand. "Kai, stop! He is the reason I left. For so long as Pythor has Lloyd, he will be our guest."
Cole's eyes widened in disbelief. "We have to live with this guy?!"
Zane shook his head. "But Sensei, he has four arms!"
Jay, unable to stop himself, chimed in, "Uh, must I remind you that ever since he turned evil, he's been trying to get our Golden Weapons?"
Wu's voice suddenly grew stern. "ENOUGH!" His gaze swept over all of them, and the room fell silent.
All of the ninja nodded in unison. "Yes, Sensei."
Garmadon crossed his arms, his dark eyes gleaming with malice. "This isn't about the weapons. It's about my son."
Wu's expression softened but remained firm. "From here on out, you will obey me and you will respect my brother."
"Yes, Sensei."
Wu sighed, gesturing toward the bridge. "Now to the bridge. We must put our attention to more pressing matters."
As they moved toward the bridge, Wu's focus returned to the matter at hand. "So, where are we at with the four Fangblades?"
"Pythor's managed to take the first two, but there are still two left," Jay explained, rubbing the back of his neck.
"And we only need one in order to prevent him from unleashing the Great Devourer," Cole added, his tone serious.
Wu's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind calculating their next move. "Any luck finding their whereabouts?"
Zane spoke calmly. "No, but the Falcon is programmed to alert us if he sees any suspicious activity."
Wu gave a nod of approval. **"Good. If we find the Fangblade, we find Lloyd." He paused for a moment, then looked directly at Kai and Nya. "Kai and Nya, prepare the deck and double-check the anchor. We need to be ready when we first get word of activity."
Jinx, having grown bored of the conversation, released the shadow chains from Kai's mouth, allowing him to speak again.
"Kai and Nya: Yes, Sensei."
Kai grumbled, still clearly agitated by the situation. "To Garmadon, I have my eye on you."
As they exited the bridge, Kai knocked his head against the doorframe, groaning in frustration. Wu sighed heavily, but Nya quickly grabbed Kai by the arm, pulling him aside. She pointed to her eyes, then to Garmadon, silently reminding him that they were all watching.
"You really have to stop that," Kai muttered under his breath, but Nya merely smiled.
On the deck, Wu caught up with Jay. "Jay, did you say the Falcon was... programmed?"
Jay grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Haha. Okay, Sensei. I don't know where to start. It all started when we saw the Falcon, and then we ran after it..." His voice began to drown out as Kai and Nya reached the deck.
Kai, still restless, turned to Nya with a furrowed brow. "But Nya, did you see? He has four arms. Wherever Sensei found him, he's now made it possible so that he can possess all four weapons at once. I don't trust him. Not one bit."
Nya paused, considering his words carefully before speaking. "You have to remember, he's not just the Dark Lord, he's also Sensei's brother. Though he's pure evil, Sensei holds him close to his heart."
A realization hit Kai like a bolt of lightning, his eyes lighting up with newfound determination. "That's it."
Nya raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Kai grinned widely, an idea blooming in his mind. "To unlock my power. Sensei said the heart is the key. Maybe if I stand up to Lord Garmadon, I'll find my True Potential, and then everyone will see I'm the Green Ninja! Ha! Nya, you are a genius!"
Nya blinked, confused. "I don't quite follow your logic."
Kai barely heard her, already lost in his thoughts. "No time to explain. I have to go train. If I'm going to confront Garmadon soon, I gotta be at the top of my game." With a backflip, he was already halfway to the training area.
"But Sensei said he's our guest," Nya called after him, though she knew it was futile.
Kai shot her a glance over his shoulder. "Garmadon might've fooled Sensei, but don't think for a second I'm not keeping my eye on him. Nya, the Lord of Darkness just became our roommate!"
Later, as the ninja settled in for dinner, the atmosphere was strained. Garmadon, seated at the table with a dagger in hand, casually brushed his teeth while the others watched in silent discomfort. Kai and Cole stared at him, their expressions a mixture of distaste and disbelief.
"What are they eating?" Cole asked, glancing at the black grubs on Garmadon's plate.
Kai sighed. "Condensed evil. Supposed to be low in fat."
Before Cole could respond, a grub flew off Garmadon's plate and landed on Kai's, who immediately swatted it away with his fork. His disgust was palpable.
The day stretched on. Later, Jay, Nya, Jinx, and Garmadon gathered in the lounge to watch a movie. On screen, a man bid farewell to his beloved, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Goodbye, my darling," the man on the screen said.
Garmadon, with a malevolent grin, changed the channel abruptly.
Jinx, half-watching and half-reading a comic, remarked under his breath. "There's always a hero chosen to defeat the darkness... but then, they betray the light."
Time seemed to slow as the ninja dealt with the constant interruptions Garmadon caused. But Kai couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He had to stay sharp, and every moment he spent with Garmadon only fueled his resolve.
Later, as a storm raged outside, Kai was at the helm of the Bounty, trying to keep the ship steady.
"Where's Garmadon, Jinx, and Jay?" Zane asked, his voice calm despite the storm.
Kai groaned, gripping the wheel tightly. "Sigh. Sunbathing... or as Jinx calls it, storm bathing. Apparently it's good for the skin."
The ninja had been sharing their bedroom with Garmadon, and it had become increasingly difficult to sleep with him around. Electricity crackled as he, completely unaware of his surroundings, used his powers to charge up the room.
"Do you have to do that? We're trying to sleep!" Kai groaned, but Garmadon simply ignored him, laughing maniacally as he continued.
Finally, when Garmadon began playing a video game with two controllers, Kai rolled his eyes. "He's not even playing the game right. He's just shooting and destroying things."
Zane, who had been watching closely, nodded slowly. "I've noticed that when he's not focused on trying to turn Ninjago into his own image, he's actually quite fascinating."
Cole leaned forward. "Sure, the four arms are freakish, but all in all, he doesn't seem that bad of a guy."
Kai shot them both a hard look. "He might be pulling the wool over all your eyes, but not mine. He's up to something. And I'm gonna be ready for it."
The laughter of Garmadon and Jinx echoed through the room as Jinx jumped up and did a little dance after defeating Garmadon's character in the game.
"Suck it!" Jinx shouted with a grin.
Garmadon chuckled. "You know, you're really good at dancing."
Jinx winked playfully. "I know. I even use it while I fight."
The Destiny's Bounty hummed with a quiet tension as its occupants remained on high alert. The Falcon had returned, its beady mechanical eyes having captured the unmistakable movements of the Serpentine slithering toward the Fire Temple.
Kai, ever eager to seize the moment, grinned as he readied himself. He cracked his knuckles, summoning a small flame in his palm before clenching his fist. "Garmadon, get ready to get Kai'd! Fire!" He lunged forward, throwing a flurry of punches at the air, his voice brimming with confidence. "Wham, bam, sorry to beat you, man!"
A few decks below, Sensei Wu guided Nya through a dimly lit chamber, his voice calm yet expectant. "This way. Come, come." Kai, curious as ever, trailed the sound, his feet padding softly across the wooden planks as he followed unseen.
Wu's voice carried through the hall. "I have come to understand the mysterious Samurai is no longer a mystery."
Nya chuckled, a proud smirk forming on her lips. "Oh yeah, you heard about that? I guess I picked up a thing or two."
Wu nodded, his eyes filled with quiet admiration. "It was foolish of me to think that a girl could not be the destined Green Ninja."
Kai, having crept close enough to eavesdrop, carefully balanced himself on a stepstool, peering through a small window into the room. His breath caught in his throat.
"Nya's the Green Ninja?" he muttered under his breath, disbelief laced in his tone.
Too exhausted to give Kai a proper beating for his pride, Jinx—who had been lounging nearby—opted for an easier approach. A shadow tendril slithered from beneath his feet, coiling through the air before giving Kai a sharp slap across the face. Kai yelped, nearly toppling off the stool. The tendril retreated just as swiftly, disappearing back into the darkness.
Wu continued as if nothing had happened. "When the four weapons are laid out before the destined one, they will react, revealing the identity of the Green Ninja."
Nya hesitated. "But, Sensei..."
"Approach the weapons," Wu instructed.
Before she could take a step, a deep, gravelly voice interrupted the moment.
"What are you doing out here?"
Kai barely had time to react before he slipped off the stepstool, landing with a hard thud. He groaned and looked up, only to find Lord Garmadon looming over him, his four arms crossed with an amused smirk.
Kai scowled, scrambling to his feet. "Whoa! What are you doing out here?"
Garmadon's expression darkened. "Evil never sleeps."
Kai scoffed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, well, good never rests."
Garmadon's smirk widened. "Maybe we should take care of this right now."
Kai's eyes gleamed with challenge. "I was hoping you'd say that." The two squared up, pushing against each other as tension crackled between them.
Before things could escalate further, Nya burst onto the scene, exasperation evident in her voice. "Guys, guys, what are you doing out here?"
Garmadon, ever the instigator, tilted his head toward Kai. "Perhaps you should be asking Mr. Snoopy Pants that question."
Nya's gaze snapped to her brother, suspicion narrowing her eyes. "Kai, were you spying on me?"
Kai's face went red. "What? No way! I was, uh... keeping watch." He coughed, forcing confidence back into his voice. "So... are you the Green Ninja?"
Nya blinked. "What? Of course not."
Kai let out a relieved breath. "So the weapons didn't tell you. Ah, that means I still have a chance."
Wu, standing nearby, observed the exchange with quiet wisdom. "Truth is, she never wanted to know."
Nya nodded, her voice firm. "At first, all I wanted was to be like you, Kai. But after seeing how obsessed you've become and discovering what I could do on my own, I'm happy being a Samurai."
Kai's shoulders slumped slightly. "So then... who's the Green Ninja?"
Wu's gaze drifted toward the heavens. "Perhaps we will never know."
Before the weight of that realization could settle, a blur of blue energy zipped into the scene. "Kai, you were supposed to be in the bridge!" Jay panted. "Zane's Falcon spotted them!"
The group rushed inside, urgency pressing against their chests.
Inside the bridge, the holographic display flickered to life, revealing the slithering masses of Serpentine converging on a single location.
"Looks like Pythor is at the Temple of Fire," Nya stated, eyes scanning the map.
Kai's fists clenched. "That means the Fangblade is there."
Garmadon's gaze was unreadable, but his voice held something almost human beneath the darkness. "And Lloyd."
Jay let out a nervous chuckle. "Oh, you mean that Fire Temple? The one where Kai and Lord Garmadon had their first big showdown?"
Kai smirked, crossing his arms. "If my memory serves me correctly, I'd say one of us cheated back when we last fought."
Garmadon chuckled darkly. "And I remember someone needing their Sensei to save them."
Cole groaned, rubbing his temples. "Guys! For the sake of the Fangblade and Lloyd, can we please just get along?"
Nya, analyzing the data, frowned. "Since the last time we've been there, it looks like the volcano has grown unstable. The place is a powder keg just waiting to blow up. This will be a highly combustible environment."
Jay gulped. "Oh, great. Just what I like—fighting armed and deadly snakes in a highly combustible environment about to blow up!"
Wu's expression remained calm yet resolute. "We will do what we must."
Zane nodded. "Yes, Sensei. But where are our weapons?"
Kai suddenly realized something. His brow furrowed as he looked around. "And why is Lord Garmadon not here?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the bridge.
Wu's voice called after him. "Kai!"
But Kai wasn't listening. Something felt off. Garmadon had been by his side just moments ago, but now? He was gone.
And that could only mean one thing—Lord Garmadon was already making his move.
Kai slid down the stair railing, his feet landing with a soft thud on the lower deck. His heart pounded as he burst into the dimly lit chamber, his instincts screaming that something was amiss. His suspicions were confirmed when he spotted Lord Garmadon standing at the center of the room, the Golden Weapons in his four hands.
Kai's eyes blazed with fury. His fingers curled into fists.
"I knew I couldn't trust you, you thief!" he spat.
Garmadon turned his crimson gaze upon the young ninja, his expression unreadable. "Foolish child," he said, his voice laced with condescension. "I look forward to teaching you a lesson."
Kai unsheathed his sword, determination flashing across his face. "This ends NOW!" he roared.
Garmadon smirked. "Indeed."
Without hesitation, Kai lunged forward. "Ninja, go!" he shouted, flipping through the air and slashing toward the Dark Lord. Their weapons clashed with a thunderous clang, sparks flying as steel met steel. The force sent Kai skidding backward, but he quickly found his footing, breathless yet exhilarated.
"I'm alive," he muttered in disbelief, his adrenaline surging. "I'm alive!"
Garmadon chuckled darkly. "You need to be taught a lesson, boy."
Just then, a voice called from outside. "Kai? You in here?"
It was Nya.
Before she could enter, Kai slammed the door shut, locking it behind him. He pressed his back against the wooden frame, panting.
"What are you doing?" Nya demanded.
"Discovering my True Potential!" Kai yelled, gritting his teeth as he dodged one of Garmadon's strikes.
Outside, the rest of the ninja gathered. Jay grunted as he shoved at the door. "Unh! The door won't budge!"
Nya crossed her arms. "Kai thinks he'll unlock his power if he stands up to Lord Garmadon."
Zane tilted his head, frowning. "Why would he think that?"
Nya twirled her finger near her temple, making the universal he's crazy gesture. "Because he thinks he's the Green Ninja!"
Cole groaned. "Well, if we don't open this door soon, I think he's gonna be mincemeat! Stand back!"
Summoning his elemental energy, Cole focused his strength. "Earth!" he bellowed. The walls trembled as the force of his power shattered the door into splinters.
But inside, the fight had already ended.
Kai stood triumphant, panting heavily over Garmadon's motionless form. His eyes shone with exhilaration. "I did it!" he exclaimed, barely believing his own victory. He turned to the others, his expression hopeful. "Are my eyes glowing? Did I unlock my powers? Is this my True Potential?"
Silence.
Nothing happened.
His heart sank.
"Argh! Why isn't it working?" he shouted in frustration.
Wu stepped forward, his face solemn. "Because you cannot defeat someone who allowed himself to be defeated."
Kai's triumph shattered like glass. He turned to Garmadon, realization dawning upon him. "You... you let me win?"
Garmadon sat up, brushing off his robes. His lips curled into a small smirk. "I wasn't going to hurt you, boy," he said, rising to his feet. "I was only fetching your weapons."
Kai's stomach twisted with anger. "But you were trying to steal them!"
Wu's expression hardened. "I asked him to get them."
Kai's fists clenched. He felt like a fool.
Wu sighed. "Perhaps it is best you do not reach your True Potential, or else someone could get hurt."
Cole scoffed. "Way to go, hero."
Jay stifled a chuckle, while Nya, seeing Kai's wounded pride, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, poor thing," she said softly. "Let me help you."
Garmadon let out a mocking sigh, touching his chest. "Yes. Poor thing."
Kai clenched his teeth, his face burning with humiliation. Before he could respond, the ship suddenly lurched, jolting everyone off balance.
Cole's eyes widened. "Sounds like we've finally reached our destination."
Jinx yawned, stretching his arms lazily. "Yeah, you guys will have to go without me," he muttered. "I haven't had my nap today, and I really need it."
No one protested. They all knew that when Jinx missed his nap, things got... unpredictable. Without another word, he disappeared below deck, leaving the others to handle the mission.
As the group disembarked, a wave of heat blasted against their faces. Lava bubbled and churned beneath a jagged rock bridge, thick plumes of smoke curling into the sky. Before them stood a towering, ancient structure, its walls cracked and blackened with age.
Cole let out a low whistle. "The Fire Temple."
Back on the Bounty, Nya's voice crackled through the communicator. "Heads up, guys. The volcano seems to be on the verge of eruption. All recent indicators tell me that this place is becoming highly unstable. Even the smallest rupture could set the whole thing off."
Wu's face darkened. "Then we must not use our weapons."
One by one, the ninja sheathed their Golden Weapons.
Except for Kai.
His fingers lingered on the hilt of his sword, a storm raging in his mind.
Garmadon glanced at him, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
This wasn't over.
Nya, standing beside him, folded her arms. "Kai."
Kai exhaled sharply, reluctant but ultimately relenting. He sheathed his Fire Sword with a click, the glow of its embers fading.
"Yeah, yeah. No Fire Sword," he muttered. Then, after a beat, his eyes locked onto the fiery peak ahead, determination burning in them. "But only because I wouldn't want anything to stop us from getting that Fangblade."
Beside him, Garmadon's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Or my son."
Wu motioned toward a rocky tunnel entrance that led into the volcano's core.
"The Serpentine must be inside. From here on out, we move in the shadows."
A ghost of a smirk flickered across Garmadon's face. "The only way I know how."
With that, the group pressed forward, vanishing into the molten-lit tunnels below.
The tunnels pulsed with an ominous red glow as lava flowed lazily through cracks in the rock, casting eerie, shifting patterns across the cavern walls. The deeper they ventured, the louder the sound of drilling and hissing voices became.
They emerged onto a rocky ledge overlooking a massive chamber within the volcano's core. Below them, the Serpentine were hard at work, digging into a titanic stone pillar that jutted up from the cavern floor. Molten lava churned in the depths beneath them, bubbling hungrily.
From a hanging iron cage suspended over the lava, a small, frightened voice called out.
Jay's eyes widened. "There's Lloyd!"
Garmadon inhaled sharply, his usually composed face betraying a flicker of emotion. "Son."
A loud clang interrupted them.
Atop the excavation site, Pythor, the cunning and ruthless leader of the Serpentine, smirked as the final strike of a drill bit into something solid beneath the rock.
His slit-like yellow eyes gleamed as he shoved a lesser Serpentine aside. "Hmph. Out of my way, fool!"
With a hiss of satisfaction, he reached into the cracked stone and pulled out his prize—a gleaming, curved artifact pulsing with a crimson glow.
The Third Fangblade.
He raised it high, his forked tongue flickering. "The Third Fangblade is ours!"
The Serpentine erupted into victorious cheers, their cheers echoing off the cavern walls.
But then, Pythor's eyes flickered with suspicion. In the reflection of the Fangblade, he saw something—a group of dark figures above them.
The Ninja.
His smirk faded. His grip tightened around the Fangblade. "Ninja?! Attack!"
Wu wasted no time. "Light as a leaf. Attack as if there is no tomorrow!"
Jay's grin flashed as sparks crackled at his fingertips. "Lightning!" He unleashed a bolt of blinding electricity, sending a squad of Serpentine tumbling. He dove into the fray, fists charged with static.
Zane followed suit. "Ice!" With a fluid motion, he extended both arms, sending a wave of frost cascading across the battlefield, freezing several Venomari mid-strike.
Kai found himself surrounded. The Constrictai lunged at him from all sides, their coils tightening—but Kai, ever the hothead, reached for his Fire Sword.
The moment the blade was drawn—
—the entire volcano trembled violently.
Nya's voice rang out in alarm. "Kai, stop! The weapon is compromising our safety!"
Kai's jaw clenched. "I will do what I must!"
He spun, flames licking at the air as he struck down the Serpentine, but the cavern quaked in response, cracks spreading across the walls.
Above them, Pythor sneered. "Let's get out of here! But first, a parting gift."
He gestured to the Constrictai, who immediately burrowed into the cavern walls. The ground groaned as new fractures spiderwebbed outward.
Zane's eyes widened. "They're making the volcano unstable!"
Jay paled. "Any second now, this place is gonna blow!"
Garmadon turned to Lloyd, still trapped in his cage. "Not without my son."
Lloyd struggled against the iron bars. "Dad!"
Pythor hissed, annoyed. "Ugh. Lose the boy!"
The Serpentine released the cage, letting it plummet toward the lava below.
Lloyd screamed. "DAD!"
Garmadon's heart stopped.
With an inhuman burst of speed, he leaped across the rocky battlefield, catching the cage just before it hit the lava. The heat singed his arms, but he gritted his teeth, pulling with all his might.
The bottom of the cage melted away just as Lloyd leaped into his father's arms.
For a moment, they just held onto each other.
"Dad."
"Son."
Nearby, Kai's gaze locked onto the Fangblade.
His heart pounded.
This was it. His chance.
Without hesitation, he sprinted toward it.
Cole shouted after him. "Kai, come back! It's too dangerous!"
Kai barely heard him. "Then I better be quick!"
With a sharp movement, he threw his Fire Sword, sending it spinning through the air. The blade struck the Fangblade, knocking it from Pythor's grasp and embedding both weapons deep into the cavern wall.
Pythor snarled. "Curse you, ninja!" He clawed at the weapons, but they wouldn't budge.
Skales yanked his arm. "Forget them! We must leave at once!"
The Serpentine scattered, just as a massive rockslide sealed the exit behind them.
Kai skidded to a halt, reaching for the Fangblade—
The ground beneath him cracked.
Jay yelled. "Leave it, Kai! It's not worth your life!"
Kai growled, yanking at the blade. "Not without that Fangblade!"
The rock beneath him crumbled.
Garmadon's voice roared in horror. "NOOOOO!!!!!"
Lloyd screamed. "Kai!!"
The ground gave way, and Kai fell into the abyss below.
Jinx stormed through the dimly lit halls below deck, his dark purple eyes burning with frustration.
"God damn it, Jay! Where did you hide my cake?! Cole made that for me!"
His boots thudded against the wooden planks as he searched high and low, pushing aside storage crates, peeking under tables, and even checking inside barrels. But there was no sign of his missing dessert.
As he walked past Sensei Wu's quarters, something caught his eye. A glint of something metallic—subtle, but unmistakable.
Curious, Jinx stepped inside. The room was bathed in the faint glow of candlelight, the air thick with the scent of aged parchment and old incense. Sitting atop Wu's desk was a small, ancient-looking box, its iron lock carved with intricate symbols that pulsed faintly in the dim light.
Jinx narrowed his eyes.
"No way… this is that box Sensei said no one could open."
Wu had once told them about it—a relic from his father, the First Spinjitzu Master. Supposedly, it could only be unlocked by the elements he did not possess.
Jinx scoffed. "Ridiculous."
In the fragmented memories of his past life, he could barely recall the First Spinjitzu Master. But one thing was clear—he had wielded nearly every element…
Except a few.
Jinx placed a hand on the lock, his fingers tingling as he focused. Slowly, he condensed the air around his palm, forming a concentrated gust of wind. As soon as his fingertips brushed the metal—
Click.
The lock snapped open.
Jinx's breath caught. His pulse quickened as he carefully lifted the lid, revealing…
An ancient scroll.
The parchment was delicate, its edges frayed and inscribed with golden calligraphy that shimmered as if alive. Jinx's eyes widened as he scanned its contents.
A slow smirk spread across his face.
"Well… this just got interesting."
Without a second thought, he rolled up the scroll, tucked it into his gi, and relocked the box—leaving the room as if nothing had happened.
Wu's voice boomed over the chaos. "We must get out of here! Or else none of us will!"
Garmadon's face was twisted in desperation. "But my son—!"
A deafening CRACK echoed through the cavern as the entrance collapsed behind them, sealing them inside.
"Come on, why won't my power unlock?!" Kai gritted his teeth, clenching his fists as he glared at the Fangblade embedded in the rock wall.
Nearby, Lloyd dangled from a crumbling ledge, gripping onto a stray piece of debris for dear life.
"Kai! HELP ME!"
Kai's breath hitched. His mind warred with itself.
The Fangblade—the key to stopping the Serpentine.
Lloyd—the boy he had sworn to protect.
His choice was clear.
With a sharp exhale, Kai turned away from the Fangblade and rushed toward Lloyd.
"Come on!" He grabbed the boy's wrist, pulling him up just as the ledge gave way beneath them.
Lloyd gasped. "But the Fangblade—"
Kai shook his head. "Forget it! This whole place is coming apart! NINJA, GO!"
Spinning into his Spinjitzu, Kai leaped from ledge to ledge, narrowly dodging the lava geysers erupting around them.
"LLOYD!! LLOYD!!!" Garmadon's voice was raw with emotion as he reached toward his son.
The remaining ninja piled onto the Bounty, the ship's engines roaring to life as the volcano finally erupted—
A massive fireball shot into the sky, consuming the entire cavern in a fiery explosion.
Nya screamed. "KAI!"
For a moment, the crew could only stare in horror.
Then—
A figure emerged from the flames.
A swirling orb of golden fire streaked through the air, carrying Kai and Lloyd toward the Bounty.
Jay's jaw dropped. "It's Kai! He's found his True Potential!"
As they landed safely, Kai collapsed onto the deck, panting heavily. His mask had been singed away, revealing his face bathed in a soft golden glow.
Wu knelt beside him as his power slowly faded.
Kai met Wu's gaze, understanding finally dawning in his eyes.
Then—he passed out.
The Bounty soared toward the open skies, leaving the ruined volcano behind.
As the ship stabilized, the crew gathered in the bridge, watching the Garmadons in silence.
Lloyd took a tentative step forward. His voice was barely a whisper.
"Dad…? Is it really you?"
Garmadon, his four arms trembling, nodded. "It is, son."
Lloyd's eyes darted to his father's extra limbs, his brow furrowing. "Dad? Why do you have four arms?"
Before Garmadon could answer, Cole clapped a hand on Lloyd's shoulder.
"He's gonna be okay, kid."
The ninja cheered in relief.
Garmadon turned to Kai, his expression unreadable.
"Thank you, Kai."
Zane tilted his head. "But how did you survive? How did you unlock your True Potential?"
Kai sat up slowly, his gaze drifting to Lloyd. "I finally understood."
He exhaled, his exhaustion evident. "All this time, I thought I had to prove I was the Green Ninja. That I had to be the best. But that was never the lesson."
Kai's eyes met Lloyd's.
"All my training… all my fighting… wasn't to become the Green Ninja. It was to protect him."
A stunned silence filled the room as realization dawned on the team.
Jinx, who had been leaning against the railing, chuckled before slapping Kai on the back and ruffling his hair.
"Looks like you finally did something right, hothead. I'm proud."
Kai grumbled but didn't resist.
Jinx smirked. "Also, I have no idea why you guys are surprised that Lloyd's the Green Ninja."
Jay blinked. "Wait, what?"
Jinx raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Did no one notice how the Golden Weapons glowed around him?"
Nya's eyes widened as she and the others slowly brought the Golden Weapons in front of Lloyd.
As if responding to their true master, the weapons levitated, crackling with green lightning.
Wu's face softened. "Lloyd… is the Green Ninja."
He sighed, almost in awe. "I had thought one of you would be chosen, but it was him all along. It all makes sense now."
His gaze swept over the team. "Not only were you four chosen to wield the Golden Weapons… but also to protect the Chosen One."
The weapons clattered to the ground, the weight of the revelation sinking in.
Garmadon stiffened. "That means…"
Wu's eyes darkened. "The battle lines have been drawn, brother. Our family has never been more divided. Brother against brother…"
His voice became solemn.
"And now… father against son."
A heavy silence followed.
Then—Jay, unable to handle the tension, blurted out:
"Okay, but seriously—WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FANGBLADE?!"
Far away, amidst the ruins of the volcano, the third Fangblade floated in the lava, its surface glowing molten red.
Pythor smirked, dipping his Anacondrai Staff into the searing heat and pulling it free.
He held it up, eyes gleaming with victory.
"Ah, so beautiful. Cool it off, boys… because we've only got one more to go."
As he laughed ominously, two whimpering Venomari scrambled to cool the scalding-hot Fangblade, their hisses of pain drowned by his sinister chuckle.
A few hours later, Sensei Wu walked into his quarters, the gentle creaking of the wooden floor beneath his feet barely registering in his mind. The day had been long, and he sought the quiet refuge of meditation to center himself. As he approached his usual spot, his sharp eyes caught something amiss.
The thin layer of dust beneath his father's ancient box had been disturbed, faint streaks breaking its once-unbroken surface. His brow furrowed slightly as he stepped closer, stroking his long white beard in contemplation.
"Hmm… interesting," Wu murmured to himself, his gaze lingering on the box.
His father, the First Spinjitzu Master, had sealed it away long ago, deeming it impossible to open except by elements he himself did not wield. For years, Wu had accepted this as an immutable truth. And yet… someone had been here. Someone had touched the box.
A knowing glint flickered in his wise eyes as his thoughts turned to the one ninja who always seemed to find himself in places he wasn't meant to be.
"Jinx," Wu whispered under his breath, curiosity sparking within him.
For now, he would say nothing. Instead, he sat down cross-legged, closing his eyes. The mystery could wait—at least for now.