Morning came too early aboard the Destiny's Bounty.
The silence was broken by a sharp, echoing clang that rattled through the ship. One by one, the ninja jolted awake as Sensei Wu struck the gong without mercy.
"Evil does not sleep," Wu said, his voice steady and unyielding. "Neither should you."
A wave of groans followed. Kai forced himself upright, blinking against the light and stifling a yawn. "We're up, we're up," he muttered. "But if reaching our full potential is the goal, wouldn't a full night of sleep help?"
Cole rolled onto his side and stretched, wincing as his back protested. "Sleep? If that counts as rest, then my spine's officially broken. I think the floor has more padding than whatever I was lying on."
Jay shuffled toward the small wash area, still half-asleep. "We stayed up too late talking about how awesome it is to have a new headquarters," he said, grinning despite his exhaustion. After everything they'd lost when the Serpentine burned their monastery, even a cramped ship felt like a blessing. He lifted his toothbrush, only to grimace as grit replaced the toothpaste he expected. He immediately spat it out, sputtering.
Zane, unaffected by the morning's chaos, stood calmly and straightened his gi. He turned to Wu, eyes focused and clear. "What is our lesson today, Sensei?"
Wu had barely begun listing possible lessons when the floor beneath them gave way with a sudden crack. Dust billowed into the air, forcing him to cough mid-sentence. He paused, then straightened calmly, as if this had been part of the plan all along.
"I believe today's lesson," he said evenly, "will be chores."
The word landed like a thunderclap.
"Chores?!" the ninja echoed in disbelief.
Cole folded his arms. "Ninjas fight, Sensei. They don't clean."
Wu's gaze was firm. "To respect ourselves, we must respect our home—and where we come from. This ship is far from becoming a true ninja headquarters." He gestured around at the cracked floors, scattered debris, and broken equipment. "When I return, I expect everything to be spotless. And put your backs into it." The gong rang out once more, final and unforgiving.
Kai groaned under his breath. "This place is going to take forever to clean, let alone fix."
Jay's eyes lit up with a familiar spark. "Unless we put more than our backs into it, huh?"
Cole smirked. "Ninja—go."
In a blur of spinning motion, he swept through the room in a whirlwind of energy, clearing debris and hauling trash out of the Bounty in seconds. Across the ship, Zane hurled his shurikens, frost racing along the walls as they froze solid. Kai followed instantly, his blade igniting as fire met ice. The frozen surfaces melted away under their combined force, leaving the structure smoother and stronger than before. Together, they spun through the space, finishing what they'd started in a rush of motion and heat.
Below deck, Cole and Kai worked side by side, repairing damaged machinery with focused determination. Jay uncovered a massive computer system buried beneath grime and loose wiring. Grinning, he summoned a controlled surge of lightning, using the power of his nunchucks to jump-start the system back to life. The ship hummed in response as lights flickered on. Up above, the canvas was repaired and secured, the Bounty slowly transforming from wreckage into something worthy of its name.
"Ninja—go!" Jay shouted triumphantly as the final system powered up.
Not long after, Nya and Sensei Wu stepped into one of the rooms—only to stop short. The ship gleamed. Every surface was clean, every system humming. In the middle of it all, the ninja sat comfortably, completely absorbed in a video game.
Kai glanced up. "What took you so long?"
Nya laughed, turning in a slow circle. "Wow. This place looks amazing. You guys did all this?"
Cole nodded proudly. "Ninjas don't just fight, Nya. We clean."
Wu stroked his beard, clearly impressed. "You have exceeded my expectations…"
A loud car horn blared outside, cutting him off.
"…But can you keep it up?" Wu finished.
Another honk followed, even louder.
Nya peered toward the sound. "Looks like we're about to have visitors. And very loud ones."
Jay sighed heavily, already bracing himself. "My parents," he groaned. "Please—if they start talking, don't encourage them. If you say one thing, they'll say ten, and suddenly half the day's gone before you know it."
Kai waved him off. "We get it. They talk a lot." He muttered under his breath, "The cherry doesn't fall far from the blossom."
Jay shot him a look as the noise outside grew closer.
Ed and Edna arrived with all the subtlety of a wrecking ball.
The car screeched to a stop nearby, followed by a metallic clunk that suggested something important had just met the bumper. Ed climbed out first, squinting at the damage with mild concern and a cheerful shrug. "Make a note, Edna," he said. "Either we need better brakes… or a better bumper." His eyes immediately wandered to the scattered scrap and old parts nearby. "Whoa, would you look at all this? They can't just throw this stuff away. We should've brought the trailer!"
Edna smacked his arm. "This ain't a flea market, Ed. We're here for Jay."
"What was that?" Ed asked, already pulling out a notepad.
"I'm writing it down," Edna muttered.
Jay hurried forward, forcing a bright smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?"
Edna's face lit up as she rushed him into a crushing hug. "Oh, my baby boy! It's been forever since we heard from you!"
Jay stiffened. "Ma, I called you two days ago."
Ed chuckled. "Well sure, but that's not soon enough, son. When are you coming back to the junkyard, huh? You keep saying you're coming, and then—an' then—you don't."
Jay glanced nervously at the others. "Dad… do we really have to talk about the junkyard in front of my friends?"
Edna waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, he hates it when we tell people he was born in a junkyard." Then her eyes landed on Nya. She froze, gasped dramatically, and clasped her hands together. "Well hello there! You are just adorable. You are exactly my son's type."
"Mom!" Jay groaned, his face burning.
Nya laughed politely and stepped forward. "It's nice to meet you. Jay's put a lot of work into this place. I'm sure he'd be happy to show you around."
Ed and Edna beamed. "We'd love a tour!"
Jay knocked his head lightly against the wall and sighed before leading them inside.
"This is the bridge," he began, gesturing as he spoke. "It extends into a periscope, lets us keep an eye on what's happening around Ninjago. And this—well, if we're interrogating a Serpentine late at night and they're not giving us the answers we want—"
"A neural apparatus to read their thoughts?" Edna guessed.
"An audio device to make them confess?" Ed added eagerly.
Jay shook his head. "No. It's a cappuccino machine."
Ed burst into laughter. "Amazing! Absolutely amazing. We're so proud of you, son."
Cole leaned in with a grin. "Why don't you tell them about the button?"
Jay laughed nervously. "Heh… it's not ready yet."
Edna's eyes sparkled. "Oh? What button?"
Zane answered calmly, "Jay is developing a specialized defense system."
"Something every ninja headquarters needs," Kai added.
Ed rubbed his hands together. "Oh really? What does it do? Can I help?"
Jay stepped in quickly. "No—no, it's fine, Dad. I've got it handled. Really. Let's just leave it alone." He glanced toward the door. "Hey, wow, would you look at the time? Don't you two need to head back before it gets dark? There are dangerous Serpentine out there."
Ed hesitated. "Well… I suppose we could head back."
As they turned to leave, Cole called out casually, "Edna, it was a real pleasure hearing about Jay's first potty training experience."
Jay froze.
Edna brightened instantly, ready to continue, while Jay let out a long, defeated groan.
Edna gasped dramatically. "Oh, if you thought that was good, just wait until you hear about the time I caught him kissing his pillow!"
Jay nearly choked. "Snakes, Ma. Snakes!"
Edna froze, then waved her hands. "Alright, alright—we're going. We're going." She leaned in, gripping Jay's shoulders. "But you promise you'll come visit your mother and father at the junkyard?"
"Yes," Jay said quickly. "I promise. But only if you leave—right now. I don't want you getting hurt. It's getting dark." He squinted toward their car. "Uh… your headlights still work, right?"
Ed proudly flipped them on. A blinding beam flooded the area, forcing everyone nearby to groan and shield their eyes.
"Like 'em?" Ed said cheerfully. "Added a little extra juice." He turned them off with a satisfied nod. "Alright then. Bye, son. I couldn't be prouder of you."
He paused and glanced back. "And bring Nya with you sometime, will ya? I can see why you like her."
"Mom—!" Jay groaned, mortified.
Once the car finally pulled away, Wu clasped his hands behind his back, eyes twinkling. "Now that they've left," he said thoughtfully, "perhaps Jay can teach us the art of… kissing pillows."
Jay let out an anguished shout as laughter erupted around him. Red-faced, he stormed back onto the Bounty while the others struggled to catch their breath.
Down the road, Ed watched the ship grow smaller in the distance. "I don't think he's coming back, dear."
Edna scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Ed. Of course he's coming."
"He doesn't need us anymore," Ed said softly. "I just have to remember that." He paused, then added, "Write that down for me, would ya?"
Edna sighed fondly. "Lights, dear. It's getting dark."
"Oh—right." Ed smiled. "Thanks, sugarplum."
Far away, beneath a sky split by jagged lightning, Lloyd crept through the Cemetery of Souls. Twisted trees loomed overhead, their branches clawing at the darkness.
"It's not scary," he muttered to himself. "Well… maybe a little. But I like scary. I'm the son of the Dark Lord. I love the dark." He puffed out his chest. "I eat this stuff for breakfast."
A voice drifted out of the shadows. "You sure you don't prefer waffles?"
Lloyd screamed.
Reaper jumped, panicking instantly. "What? What is it? I'm gonna die, aren't I?"
"You're fine," Lloyd snapped, regaining his composure. "We're going to make the Hypnobrai pay for betraying us. But first, we need the Fangpyres. If there's one thing a snake hates, it's another snake." He gestured toward a gnarled, mutated tree. "They're here."
Reaper squinted at the twisted shape. "Looks like you."
Lloyd lunged suddenly, and Reaper yelped. "Stop doing that!"
Lloyd grunted as he forced open a hidden seal. "We found it." His grin widened as thunder cracked overhead. "Soon, all Serpentine will know who their master is." He laughed, sharp and echoing.
"I want to leave," Reaper whimpered.
The tomb creaked open. A chilling presence poured out as two shadowy figures emerged, their voices weaving together.
"And who—" one began.
"—may we say released us—" the other continued.
"—from our captivity?"
Lloyd swallowed. "Uh… Lloyd. And Reaper. We freed you so you could help us punish the Hypnobrai for betraying me."
"The Hypnobrai?" one hissed.
"Those hypnotizing deceivers," the other sneered.
"It will be—"
"—our pleasure."
Reaper forced a shaky smile. "Great! I'll, uh, lead the way. And after that…" She hesitated, eyes darting nervously. "There are some ninja we'd really like taken care of."
The Fangpyres' laughter echoed through the cemetery as lightning split the sky once more.
Jay let out a nervous laugh. He knew exactly what they were doing. "Nice try," he said, shaking his head. "I might've promised to visit my parents, but I've got a lot on my plate right now."
Nya stepped into the room, hands on her hips.
Jay hurriedly wiped grease and oil from his face, suddenly very interested in looking presentable. "Heh… hi, Nya."
She raised an eyebrow. "You going to visit your parents today?"
"Uh—yeah," Jay said quickly. "Just about to head out."
"Tell them I say hi."
The other ninja turned to look at him all at once.
Jay shrugged. "What? Guess my plate isn't that full."
Outside, Jay tugged gently at Wisp's reins. The dragon snorted and refused to move.
"Oh, come on," Jay pleaded. "It'll be quick. In and out. Easy."
Wu watched the dragons carefully, his expression thoughtful. "Hmm. Just as I suspected. The dragons are molting."
Jay grimaced. "Ew. What does that mean?"
"Every adolescent dragon must undergo a transformation before becoming an adult," Wu explained. "They must migrate east to the Spirit Coves."
Jay's grin faded. "Will we see them again?"
Wu hesitated. "That… is uncertain. But they must be allowed to follow their own path."
Cole rested a hand on Rocky's neck. "You're heading east?" he murmured. "Say it isn't so, buddy."
Zane gently stroked Shard's scales, silent but understanding.
Jay wandered over to where Nya stood with Kai and Flame. He sighed loudly. "Well, I guess I'll be taking this long walk all by myself. Sure would be nice to have some company…"
Nya started to nod.
"Of course we'll go," Kai said immediately.
Cole stretched. "Could use the break."
Zane inclined his head. "All you had to do was ask."
Jay sighed. "Great."
Wu joined them as the dragons lifted into the sky, disappearing eastward. As they walked, he raised the Sacred Flute and began to play. The melody drifted softly through the air, calm and ancient.
Jay groaned. "Of all days to lose our ride…"
Zane glanced at the flute. "You've never told us why it's so special."
"Long ago," Wu said, lowering it, "there were many such flutes. They were used to combat the Serpentine, to drive them underground. Over time, Ninjago forgot its ancestors' wisdom. This is the only one that remains." He played again, the tune lingering.
Jay smirked. "I get it. Respect your elders or suffer the consequences. You guys are really laying it on thick today."
Wu chuckled. "Perhaps you are only hearing what you need to hear."
Jay slowed as the junkyard came into view.
"It's too quiet," he said. "My family is never quiet."
Suddenly alarmed, he sprinted ahead. The others followed as he traced the sound of muffled grunting to an old refrigerator sealed shut. Jay kicked it open without hesitation.
His parents tumbled forward, bound and taped.
"What happened?" Jay demanded, tearing the tape from Edna's mouth. "Who did this?"
"Oh, sweetheart," Edna said, eyes shining with relief. "You came!"
Jay freed Ed next.
"You shouldn't be here," Ed warned urgently. "You gotta go. It's the ssssnakes!"
Wu stepped forward, his expression grave. "The bite of the Fangpyre," he said quietly. "Once their venom enters the body, it begins to turn anything it infects into a serpent. It is only a matter of time before the transformation is complete."
A chorus of hisses rose from the shadows around the junkyard.
The Fangpyres were already closing in.
Cole barely had time to blink. "Uh… is that wrecking ball staring at me?"
"Duck!" Jay shouted.
The massive ball swung toward them with crushing force. Jay dove forward, shoving his parents out of the way just as it slammed into the ground, sending scrap flying in every direction.
Ed groaned as Jay helped him up. "Thankssss, sssson…"
Wu stepped forward, eyes narrowing as two familiar figures emerged from the chaos. "Lloyd… and Reaper Garmadon."
Lloyd grinned. "Hello, Uncle. Looks like this isn't the only family reunion today." He gestured around the junkyard. "Glad you brought the ninja. I could use some help taking out the trash." He laughed loudly.
Reaper smirked. "Nice one, big bro."
"Thanks, little sis."
Nya tightened her grip on her weapon. "If we want to turn Jay's parents back, we need the antivenom from the staff."
"Second dose—down!" Cole yelled.
Everyone hit the dirt as the wrecking ball tore through the air again, missing them by inches. Fangpyres hissed from all sides, closing in.
"Easier said than done," Kai said, spinning to face them. "We're a little outnumbered here."
Jay's expression hardened. "Nobody messes with my family." His nunchucks crackled with energy. "Ninja—go!"
"Ninja—go!" Kai, Cole, and Zane echoed.
Wu lifted the Sacred Flute, its haunting melody cutting through the chaos. As the music flowed, Nya charged forward, taking down two Fangpyre soldiers in swift, precise strikes.
"I don't know, Sensei," she called back. "I think we make a pretty good duet."
Nearby, Lloyd and Reaper cranked up the volume on a corrupted boombox, blasting distorted music across the yard.
Wu frowned. "Young niece and nephew, must I remind you which side you should be on?"
Reaper turned the volume even higher. "Sorry, Uncle! Can't hear you!"
Lloyd laughed. "Man, we are awesome."
"I know, right?" Reaper agreed.
Suddenly, a Fangpyre lunged for Wu—but Edna intercepted it, swinging a frying pan with surprising force. The creature collapsed in a heap.
Ed stared in awe. "Yeah! Way to go, Edna!"
The ninja surged forward again. "Ninja—go!"
But then several Fangpyres broke away, racing toward a towering statue made of scrap metal. They sank their fangs into it, dark energy spreading fast. Metal twisted and groaned as the statue transformed, rising into a monstrous Fangpyre robot.
The music cut out abruptly.
Jay stared. "Uh… what is that?"
Ed shifted nervously. "It was supposed to be in your honor, son. You like it?"
Jay backed away. "Thanks, but no thanks."
Everyone ran.
"Why did you have to be born in a junkyard?" Cole shouted as debris rained down around them.
"I know!" Jay yelled back. "Believe me!"
A massive crane arm swung overhead, the wrecking ball now moving with a mind of its own.
Kai glanced around. "Uh… wasn't there four of us?"
Jay had already leapt onto the swinging ball, scrambling up it before diving into the crane's cockpit. "Let's see if I can still work one of these," he muttered, yanking a lever.
The robot lunged toward Cole.
"Don't worry!" Cole shouted. "I got it—"
The wrecking ball slammed into the robot instead, knocking it aside.
Cole blinked. "Okay. You got it."
Lloyd scowled. "Retreat!" He and the Fangtom vanished into the sky aboard a rattling helicopter.
Nya shouted, "He's getting away—with the staff!"
Jay sighed heavily. "Right now would be a great time to have dragons."
"It'ssss okay, sssson," Ed said weakly.
Wu stepped closer. "There is still a way."
Jay looked at him. "How?"
"To reach your full potential," Wu said calmly, "you must understand your weapon's potential. When it is in tune with a focused heart, its true power can be unlocked."
Jay groaned. "Sensei, now is not the time to be cryptic."
Zane's eyes lit up. "He means our weapons are vehicles themselves."
Kai grimaced. "Please don't tell me I have to ride mine like a broomstick."
Wu turned to Jay. "Focus. Let your heart guide you. Imagine taking flight."
Jay closed his eyes, gripping his nunchucks. Electricity surged—not wild this time, but controlled. The weapon shifted in his hands, unfolding and transforming as wind gathered beneath him.
Jay's eyes snapped open as he lifted off the ground.
"Whoa!" he laughed. "Did I just do that?"
The Storm Glider soared upward, lightning trailing behind him as the battle—and Jay's true potential—took to the skies.
Kai's blade shimmered and reshaped itself beneath him, unfolding into a sleek, roaring cycle. Zane's weapon transformed into a streamlined snowmobile, frost trailing in its wake, while Cole's hammer expanded and locked into a heavy treaded assault vehicle.
Cole grinned as he powered forward. "Sorry, Rocky," he said fondly, "but I think you've just been replaced."
They surged after Lloyd, engines roaring, while Jay whooped with excitement overhead.
Nya glanced at Wu as they ran. "Does your flute turn into anything?"
Wu studied it thoughtfully, then sighed. "I wish."
Jay streaked past Lloyd and Reaper in a blur of lightning.
Lloyd's eyes widened. "Whoa—what was that?"
Jay laughed as he swung around. "Oops. Overshot it a little." He tapped a control. "Alright, let's see what this thing can really do—"
The glider jolted violently.
"Uh-oh."
Below him, one of the Fangpyre generals shouted, "Duck!"
Jay barely had time to react before the staff flew into his grasp. "I got it?" His eyes lit up. "I got it!" He laughed—then froze as the Storm Glider vanished beneath him.
His scream echoed through the sky.
"Jay!" Kai shouted. "You've got to concentrate!"
"I can't!" Jay yelled back, flailing.
Cole leaned forward. "Then we'll catch him!"
"No, I've got him!"
"He's mine!"
One by one, their vehicles flickered out, dropping them back to the ground as Jay continued to plummet. At the last second, Nya swerved in with the battered jalopy, skidding beneath him. Jay landed hard in the seat beside her.
He let out a breathless laugh. "Heh. Nice."
Edna beamed. "Aw, I knew I liked this girl."
The Fangpyres regrouped quickly.
"Everyone—"
"Attack!"
Kai frowned, shaking his weapon. "Uh… why isn't this working?"
Wu's voice cut through the panic. "Your weapon is an extension of your mind. If your mind is immobile, so is your weapon."
Ed swallowed hard, glancing at the chaos. "Oh boy. Oh gosh. Oh golly." He opened the car door wide. "Get in, boys!"
Jay snapped back into focus. "We've got to get back to headquarters!"
Lloyd snarled as they sped away. "Go! They're getting away!"
---
The ninja reached the Destiny's Bounty just ahead of the Fangpyres.
Nya guided Ed and Edna inside. "Come with me. Once we reverse the venom, we can fix you."
Jay rushed to the controls. "Man the stations!"
"We don't have much time," Kai warned.
Jay's hands hovered over the button. "I've been waiting for this moment." He pressed it.
Nothing happened.
"They're gaining on us!" Kai shouted.
Ed raised the antivenom vial. "Bottoms up!"
He and Edna drank it down, laughing as the hissing faded and their voices returned to normal.
"Ohhh, that's good," Ed said with a satisfied sigh.
Jay groaned. "I don't get it. I spent forever on this—it's supposed to work!"
Ed blinked. "Uh… son? Maybe I can help?"
Jay turned, eyes wide. "Dad! You're okay!"
"You're darn tootin'." Ed leaned in, already tinkering with the wiring. "Let's see… oh, yeah. Uh-huh. That'll do it. Try it now."
Jay pressed the button again.
The Bounty roared to life. Panels shifted, wings unfolding as rocket boosters ignited. The ship surged forward, lifting cleanly into the sky and leaving the Fangpyres behind.
"No, no, no—!" Lloyd shouted, coughing as the distance grew.
Below, the staff slipped from Nya's grasp and clattered to the ground. One of the Fangtom scooped it up.
"These ninja…" one hissed.
"…must be stopped," the other finished.
Lloyd scowled. "Oh, tell me about it."
---
Later, aboard the Bounty, Jay smiled at his parents. "We'll get you back to the junkyard once we're sure the coast is clear. But… you can stay as long as you like. It's nice having you here."
Ed pulled out his notepad. "Make a note, Edna. Of all our inventions, this one's our greatest."
Edna smiled and tossed the notepad aside. "I already know, dear."
They pulled Jay into a tight embrace. Nearby, Wu watched quietly, a small, knowing smile on his face as the Bounty sailed on through the open sky.