From the sea mist, a large ship emerged. Its figurehead? A dragon very familiar.
Two hundred years ago...
"We spent months searching for this legendary Eye of Darkness, but all my eyes saw was the ocean. I fear my crew and even my own son have given up, but I still have hope that it exists. Captain Soto" - The captain then hid his logbook and went to where his crew was.
The crew was singing some song to distract themselves. Captain Soto's son was napping, and even though there was a storm, he did not wake up.
"This is no time for play! Who's steering?! And where is my son?!" - Captain Soto asked seriously -
"Don't worry, captain! Pete One-Eye's at the helm and your son's right there, sleeping like a rock!" - The crew member was clearly drunk.
"No! Not Pete One-Eye!" - Captain Soto looked at the helm.
There was a man wearing two eyepatches and a parrot on his shoulder trying to help with the directions.
"Sato! Wake up!" - Captain Soto woke him with a slap on the head.
Everyone was frantic. Sato woke with a jump and yawned.
"Is it morning already?" - Sato watched his father run to the helm and give orders - "Wake me up when it's afternoon" - Sato then went back to sleep heavily.
It didn't take long; the ship hit the rocks and sank.
o0o0o
"That's it. Keep going" - Kai encouraged Lloyd to punch the thermal gloves he was wearing.
"Fists of Fury!" - Lloyd did a series of punches - "You can't even see my movements, I'm so fast!" -.
"Stop bragging. That can be used against you by your enemy" - Kai explained.
"Oh, come on! I'm ready to face everything you throw at me! Besides, Moon already showed me a few things!" - He kicked, pushing Kai against the wall.
"Take it easy, grasshopper. You're not even ready to face my pinky finger" - Kai smiled lightly.
"I see the student has become the teacher. You'll learn quickly, Lloyd, with the Ninja girls" - Wu nodded, sipping his tea.
"Now that this lesson is over, how about a target practice lesson... On Kai!" - Cole smiled and Kai's grin faded.
"In this case, that would be my lesson" - Moon came out of the room after changing clothes - "Of all of you here, my aim is the best" -
The Ninjas were stunned by her well-built body, especially her abs. She wore only a black cropped top, leggings, and a purple jacket tied around her waist. She had also refreshed the color of her purple streak.
"Did your streak get darker?" - Lloyd asked, curious.
"I repainted it" - The Ninjas stared - "What? You didn't really think I was born with a purple streak, did you?" - Moon raised an eyebrow.
"Everyone will have their turn. But first, I don't want you to be late for your first lesson with Nya" - Wu interrupted the situation.
"Oh, but when will I learn Spinjitzu?" - Lloyd looked a bit disappointed.
"Patience. That will only be unlocked when the key is ready to be found" - Wu replied.
Lloyd sulked off to Nya's lesson.
"Familiar, isn't it?" - Cole asked, looking at Kai.
"I wasn't a crybaby!" - Kai muttered.
"No, you were worse" - This made Jay laugh.
(Patience is the greatest virtue) -
"Guys. I know we're preparing Lloyd for his future, but under these conditions, it's difficult" - Jay exclaimed suddenly.
"Jay's right. I miss our ship; too bad it was lost" - Cole sighed.
"There's a solution for everything" - Moon tried to cheer a little.
"Oh yeah? And what would that be?" - Kai asked, looking at her.
"Patience" - Moon answered.
"My patience would have to be the size of a century then" - Kai mocked.
"I understand your opinions... Maybe we can find another place to help in his journey" - Wu suggested.
o0o0o
Lloyd went to where Nya was, with the dragons.
"Now that I've given them medicine, soon they'll be able to fly. It will be important for you to take care of them because one day they will be yours" - Nya explained.
Sprint grunted in disagreement, seeing Moon as his rider.
"Mine? Really? But I think Sprint prefers Moon" - The dragon growled in agreement.
"Of course. The elemental dragons are cool for the Ninjas, but the Ultradragon and the Megadragon are meant for the Green Ninja to ride" - Nya explained - "Although there are still some controversies with the Megadragon" -
"Wow! I didn't know that!" - Lloyd was excited.
"See, even a Samurai like me can teach you a thing or two" - Nya smiled.
"But... I don't know how to fly" - Lloyd was unsure.
"Focus everything on your legs" - Lloyd looked at his own legs - "They will be the fastest and strongest dragons in all of Ninjago" -
The Ultradragon stood up, energetic and better. The Megadragon yawned before lifting its body.
"Looks like they're already better" - Lloyd mentioned, watching the two dragons.
"Go take some air, big guys" - Nya encouraged.
The Ultradragon was the first to fly, followed by the Megadragon. The Megadragon was faster and more agile than the Ultradragon, probably because it was smaller and had only one head.
o0o0o
"Let's start trying to find a more suitable place in Ninjago for Lloyd's training," - Wu said to the Ninjas.
"But listen, Sensei, Ninjago is huge! It will take all day to search on foot!" - Jay exclaimed, worried.
"And without our Golden Weapons, we don't have Spinjitzu vehicles. How are we going to get around?" - Zane questioned.
"You will learn to travel with this," - Wu showed a coin.
"What is this, Sensei?" - Cole asked.
"A coin?" - Moon raised an eyebrow.
"This will be able to transport you anywhere in the city," - Wu explained.
"Like a magic portal?" - Cole got excited.
"A Spinjitzu vortex?" - Jay suggested.
Cole took the coin.
"Hey! This is a transportation pass," - Cole raised an eyebrow, looking a bit grumpy.
"Better than nothing," - Moon crossed her arms.
o0o0o
Garmadon was having problems with the Mega Weapon, not knowing how to use it. He tried to attack the Ultradragon and Megadragon, but he failed, and the dragons got the upper hand.
The snakes mocked him for his failure.
He went to the captain's cabin to vent his anger by breaking some things and suddenly found the logbook.
"So the ship belonged to pirates before the Ninjas? I wish they were here to teach those idiots!" - He struck the Mega Weapon, which started reacting with dark energy. - "What? What's happening?!" - The Mega Weapon began releasing a lot of energy. - "The power of the Mega Weapon! It won't let me release! I feel so weak..." - He could hear mysterious voices - "What did she do?" -.
"I am Captain Soto!" - The voice surprised Garmadon.
"Captain Soto?" -.
o0o0o
The ninjas arrived at a place called Mojo Dojo.
"Is this where Lloyd will train?" - Cole asked.
"It will be better than our home," - Kai responded.
"Welcome to the Mojo Dojo of the great Dareth. I am the Great Sensei Dareth and I challenge you all to join my dojo," - he said, looking a bit surprised to see the Ninjas and making some moves, getting slightly tangled in the curtains.
(A style... exotic?) - Moon tilted her head to the side.
"Here are the karate trophies," - he went to a shelf with trophies - "If you look closely, you'll see my name on all of them. That's because I am a highly skilled karate machine," - he gave a "charming smile."
"Look, Dareth, we were wondering if we could use your Dojo," - Kai stepped forward. - "We are responsible for training this little guy here, to make him the greatest Ninja in all of Ninjago." -.
"Impossible," - Dareth approached. - "Because I am the best of all. How many trophies do you have?" - This dampened Lloyd's mood.
"Listen, buddy, we are the guys who saved the city from the Giant Snake," - Jay used that line again.
"Hahaha. Am I looking at Lord Garmadon? I am not an idiot, I know it's not you. Lord Garmadon destroyed the Devourer," - Dareth rolled his eyes.
(From the moment Jay said that, we should have realized this wouldn't work) - Moon crossed her arms.
"This was a big misunderstanding," - Jay laughed nervously. - "Actually, we were the ones who—" - Dareth interrupted him.
"I'll let you train here, but with one special condition: you have to defeat me. If you succeed, we share the Dojo," - he struck some ridiculous poses. - "That's right! I, the Great Sensei Dareth, master of all animal fighting styles, challenge one of you to battle. I choose the Tiger!" - He made another ridiculous pose imitating an angry cat.
(Definitely not) - Moon found it all ridiculous.
"The Snake," - he swung. - "The Penguin." -.
"Let me go," - Moon slammed her fist into his hand.
"Look, I suggest a little girl like you not fight, you could get hurt, and I don't like—" - Moon just grabbed his arm and slammed him to the ground, hitting his back hard on the floor. - "Ah!" -.
"Don't you think that was too much?" - Kai asked.
"No," - she replied quickly and without hesitation.
"You can train in my Dojo... as much as you want..." - Dareth said, feeling somewhat humiliated.
"Hm," - Moon rolled her eyes.
o0o0o
At sea, on the Black Bounty.
"When I wanted a better team, the Mega Weapon provided it, but when I wanted the dragons destroyed, it didn't work... The Mega Weapon doesn't have the power to destroy. It only has the power to create!" - Lord Garmadon reached his final conclusion.
The snakes and pirates were arguing about who owned the ship.
"Uh, no pretty girls," - Sato rolled his eyes in disgust.
"Prepare the hatches for battle, friends!" - Garmadon ordered.
"Who are you calling friends, Four Arms?" - Captain Soto asked, pointing his sword.
"I, Lord Garmadon. I created you, fool," - he was panting. - "I am your captain now!" -.
"You overthrew me? I am Captain Soto! Thief of the Seas! Raise your weapon!" - Soto ordered.
"The Mega Weapon may have the creators, but now Garmadon is too weak to use it," - one of the snakes said to the other.
"Take it from him!" - -Soto ordered.
"No! Only I can wield it! It's too powerful!" - Too late, one of the pirates tried to grab it but was erased from existence. - "Only I have the power to wield the Mega Weapon. It may have drained my strength for now, but when my power returns, I will deal with you," - he threatened.
"Too bad for you! Now we'll return to our ship! Tie him and his reptile friends in the saddles!" - Captain Soto ordered.
Sato rolled his eyes as the blind pirate acted first.
"What nonsense," - he then cut a rope. - "This is how it's done." -.
A barrier fell and caused five snakes to fall into the saddles at once.
Sato was just surprised when the ship started to fly.
"Now this is cool... I hope Ninjago still has some hot girls," - Sato gave a rogueish smile.
o0o0o
Lloyd's training with Moon had begun. After Lloyd demonstrated that he could use the Earth Master's Earthquake power, she decided to focus on controlling his energy and emotions.
"If you get emotionally out of control, your powers can go wild or might not even work, so it's important to have a clear and balanced mind," she said, making a gentle hand motion and creating a small flame-shaped aura.
Lloyd saw this and tried it on his own.
"A clear and balanced mind..." - a spark of aura began to appear.
Moon looked at it with a small smile.
"Now focus and release it gently," - she instructed, releasing a pulse of aura, weak and soft.
"Release it gently!" - Lloyd got excited and released more than necessary.
Lloyd's aura pulse was so strong that it destroyed a few things and pushed some of the ninjas. But Moon remained still.
"I... think I overdid it," - Lloyd scratched the back of his neck.
"You're just starting out, and the Aura is tricky to control at first. You'll get it soon," - Moon assured him with a smile.
Dareth constantly tried to show off to be part of the group as the Brown Ninja, but his attempts were embarrassing and failed. Moon could barely hold back her laughter when he tried to break fifty wooden boards using the "dragon's strength." Dareth's two students looked a bit uncomfortable at his humiliation.
o0o0o
The Black Bounty arrived in Ninjago, causing panic. The pirates were eager to loot, but Sato could only think about...
"Why are there only ugly girls here?" - he huffed in disappointment.
"Is thinking about girls all you can do, son?" - Captain Soto gave him a disapproving look.
"I'm a pirate in my own way," he rolled his eyes.
The Ninjas then left the Dojo and came face to face with the ship and pirates.
"Our ship!" - Jay pointed.
"Pirates?" - Lloyd looked confused.
"What are pirates?" - Moon asked, even more confused.
"You can't be serious?" - Jay looked at her in shock.
"Anyway, they haven't existed for centuries," Cole mentioned.
"I imagine Lord Garmadon is behind this," - Zane exclaimed.
"How are we going to follow him?" - Lloyd asked.
"Maybe this will help," - Kai said, taking the coin as a bus stopped in front of them - "I can't believe I'm saying this, but... follow that ship!" -.
The driver hit the accelerator once everyone was on board.
On the bus, Moon did her Spinjitzu. A purple whirlwind disappeared as she put on her Purple Ninja outfit.
"That's pretty useful, but where did you get your outfit from?" - Jay exclaimed, surprised.
"A magician never reveals her tricks," - she smiled under her mask.
"Looks like you're starting to get a sense of humor, I wonder whose," - Jay also smiled under his mask.
"I didn't want the boy to come along, it's too dangerous," - Kai mentioned, frowning.
"Please! Please! I'll be super good!" - Lloyd pleaded.
"Your powers are still too great," - Zane said, placing a hand on his shoulder - "They're uncontrollable." -.
"Someday you'll be able to come with us. Sorry," - Cole apologized.
"If it's safe, I'll teach you to see with the Aura," - Moon offered.
"Really?! Deal!" - Lloyd smiled as Moon's gaze softened.
The Ninjas went on top of the bus, but it had to stop before they could reach the ship because an elderly woman was crossing the street.
"Ma'am, we're trying to save the city here," - Jay said, looking embarrassed.
The ship continued and the woman's bag tore, dropping all the vegetables. The Ninjas sighed.
"We don't have time for this," - Moon did a backflip and ran toward the ship.
"And there she goes running after a vehicle... again!" - Jay exclaimed.
o0o0o
Moon took off from the roof of one of the buildings and managed to reach the ship, landing right on top of the wheelhouse.
"Dareth?" - Moon raised an eyebrow when she saw him jump there.
"Surrender! Or face the Brown Ninja!"- Dareth tried to strike a confident pose.
"A man in pajamas? Get him!" - Captain Soto ordered.
"Wolf! Woof! Spider! Hippo!" - Moon hit her own face in embarrassment.
(He couldn't do worse) - she sighed as she had to go rescue him.
"Another pajama guy!" - the captain exclaimed, surprised as Moon dropped from the sky in his view.
She kicked him in the stomach, sending him into the wooden deck.
"Anyone who comes at me will get completely destroyed," - she threatened, fists raised.
"Hello there. Looks like Ninjago still has some beauties," - Sato appeared with a smile.
Moon didn't like that at all. One pirate tried to strike her from behind with a sword, but she dodged and punched him in the face.
"And she can still fight! How amazing," - Sato approached. - "Although that pajama and mask hide your beauty, my dear~" - he spoke in a flirty tone.
"I am a Ninja," - she affirmed, jumping on top of his head.
"Ninja?" - Sato blinked confused and then received an aura punch to the face.
"Dareth! You shouldn't be here!" - she easily threw him over her shoulder and jumped off the ship, avoiding the swords.
"Moon!" - the others approached.
She placed Dareth on the ground, still tied up.
"Are you okay?" - Kai asked.
"Yes, but my plan went down the drain" - Suddenly a rope was thrown around Dareth.
"Sorry there, pajama people! But it's wrong to steal a prisoner from a pirate! Especially those who are about to walk the plank!" - It was Sato who threw the rope.
"But what--!" – Jay was surprised.
Moon tried to pull Dareth, but it was useless as Sato pulled first.
"See you later, forgive-me-lovers~" – He waved – "If you want, we can still go around, Purpley~" – He smiled.
Moon frowned, not liking it one bit. Cole and Kai furrowed their brows and gritted their teeth at the same time.
"Hey! I've got an idea!" – Jay pointed to a costume shop.
The Ninjas dressed as pirates, and Moon felt a little out of place with it.
"They don't know what you really are, and they won't notice if you stay quiet" – Jay tried to give her confidence.
"I hope the plan works" – Moon sighed.
The Ninjas managed to sneak in unnoticed. Sato gave a doubtful look but focused on the entertainment: the guy walking the plank.
"I know I say I'm a brown belt! But it's paint! All my trophies are fake!" – And the Ninjas already knew that.
The pirate captain pushed him, but Lloyd saved him just in time with the Ultra Dragon. Sprint flew and roared at the pirates on the ship.
"Ninja, Go!" – The Ninjas immediately changed clothes to the ones they had hidden away.
"This trick is really cool" – Jay smiled.
"More pajama guys! And the same as before!" – The pirates pointed their swords.
"Hello again, my Purpley~" – Sato smiled, cracking his whip.
"Pirates versus Ninjas... Who wins?" – Kai asked with a fiery grin.
Kai grabbed his sword from its bay, Cole took his scythe from its sheath, Zane got into position, Jay grabbed his nunchaku, and Moon took her staff. Although, all were made of wood and iron.
The fight started when Cole sliced the feather off the pirate captain's hat.
The fight went in favor of the Ninjas; the pirates were no match for the Ninja skills.
"Here we go, Purpley~ you know, you could join me, maybe come to my room" – Sato kept throwing ideas.
"Disgusting" – Moon blocked the whip that hit her arm.
"I paid you" – He smiled confidently as he tried to pull her, but it didn't work.
"No, I got you" – She said as she grabbed the whip with her hand and pulled it, landing another punch on his face.
Moon used Sato's whip to support the Ninjas.
"Ninja, Go!" – Lloyd arrived, giving a flying kick to some pirates.
Captain Soto would have attacked Lloyd if Kai hadn't blocked him.
"Lloyd! You shouldn't be here!" – Kai said as he placed him inside a barrel.
"Lloyd!" – The boy turned the barrel and was hitting without seeing properly.
Kai was about to fall but luckily grabbed the falling anchor.
"Come here, you brat!" – Captain Soto tried to hit him, but missed.
Moon was about to help but stopped when she felt his aura growing stronger.
"Ninja, Go!" – He managed to perform Spinjitzu.
Moon was surprised, but proud at the same time.
"Wow, I just did Spinjitzu for the first time!" – Soto then hit him.
Moon reacted by sending an Aura Sphere at him. The Ninjas were doing fairly well, and Lloyd was about to use his power.
"Lloyd! Wait! Your power is unstable!" – Moon tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Lloyd launched a sphere of energy that was reflected and made the mast fall. The Ninjas were hit and trapped. The pirates pointed their swords at them.
"You'll walk the plank! Pajama people!" – But earthquakes started shaking the ship.
It was Nya who arrived in her Samurai outfit for the rescue. Nya saved them and defeated the pirates, also putting the mast back in place.
"Who wins between Pirates and Ninjas? The Samurais do!" – Jay exclaimed happily.
Jay seemed more and more in love with her.
o0o0o
In the end, the pirates were all captured.
"Good job, team" - The officer praised.
"Don't forget this little guy helped too" - Kai ruffled his hair.
"I'm proud of you, Lloyd" – The little boy perked up – "But what you did was irresponsible" – Moon put her hands on her hips.
"Let it slide, okay?" – Kai asked.
Moon sighed and said nothing.
"Hey, is that your ship?" – The officer asked, pointing to it.
"Yes" – Jay said, and everyone saw Garmadon taking it.
"Sorry. Missed your chance, you lose!" – Lord Garmadon exclaimed.
"Lord Garmadon!" – Kai growled.
"Dad!" – Lloyd reached out to him for a moment.
"You're getting strong, son, but you'll never be strong enough to defeat me! Give up! Before it's too late!" – Garmadon said, looking at his son.
Lloyd looked at the Ninjas and Samurai before deciding. He looked determined and went to their side.
"As you wish. Until another day, Ninjas!" – He exclaimed as they flew away.
"Great! Lord Garmadon is back and he has our ship too!" – Jay was furious.
"Well, at least we've got this little guy" – Cole smiled, patting him on the back.
Jay set his anger aside and smiled. Bipolar.
(In the end, Garmadon is just worried about his son.)
Dareth tried to sneak closer unnoticed, whistling. He grabbed Jay from behind, but Jay threw him over his shoulder.
"Oh please, friends... I challenge you to forgive me" – The Ninjas just laughed at that.
_TO BE CONTINUED_