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Chen's palace probably held the record for having the largest number of secret passageways. There were so many that none of the staff could go a day without discovering two or three while cleaning the premises.

Nya chose the one hidden behind the forgotten bookshelves in the library. The twisting passageway led down to the throne room, opening behind a tapestry on the wall. Nya peaked out, making sure they were in the right room before shifting to give Skylor some space.

Their father was seated in his elaborate chair on the carpeted dais while Clouse stood at his side, ready to mutter advice in his master's ear. In front of him on the lengthy crimson rug stood a man, flanked by two tattooed guards. He looked to be in his early thirties with dirty brown hair that reached his shoulders, covered by a maroon straw hat. He wore an eyepatch on his right eye while a nasty scar ran down his left cheek, partly hidden by his stubble. His clothes were a mix of fabric and armor and accessorised by belts and holsters. They were empty, indicating that he'd left whatever weapons he had back at the gates.

"That's Ronin?" Skylor hissed. "He looks more like a mercenary than a thief." There was no admiration in her tone, only distaste.

Nya didn't like the looks of him either. She could only associate two words with him: lies and deception. She wondered why her father required the aid of such a person when he had plenty of his own people to be his agents on the mainland. But then again, if Chen was searching for something he would need someone who knew all the secrets and dirty corners of the land.

"You're late, Ronin. Almost a week overdue," their father finally spoke, the usual hint of sinister playfulness absent from his voice. Maybe he was still irritated by the argument back in the dining hall.

Instead of apologising for not appeasing his employer, the thief grunted and folded his arms. He raised his head to look Chen straight in the eyes. "Your damn island is in the middle of nowhere and I'm a one-man show. I got lost on the sea." His voice wasn't gruff as Nya had expected. It was deep and smooth, almost charismatic. If he cleaned up nicely, he could actually be good-looking.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Chen snapped. "My island is only a day away from Ninjago city harbour."

"It's not on any map I could find," Ronin drawled, seemingly bored from the conversation. "Exile sure is disadvantageous."

Chen scowled deeply. "Whatever the reason for your delay, I'm paying you only half. Because of you I now have to work double time to complete preparations."

This seemed to pinch the thief and he immediately dropped his indifferent demeanour. He took a step forward but was stopped by the one of the guards. "You can't do that! I've found the whereabouts of every single living Elemental Master. I've spent more money than I can steal."

"Whoa," Skylor breathed, eagerly pressing against the wall. "Has he really found them all?"

Chen raised a hand, silently ordering his guards to release the man. "Every one of them?"

Ronin jerked his arm free of the guard's hold. "Including the Green Ninja."

Even from a distance, Nya could see her father's eyes gleam with interest. "The Master of Energy," he muttered, steepling his fingers.

"Though not required for the spell, the Green Ninja's power can greatly enhance its effects," Clouse informed, placing a hand on Chen's shoulder. "This is excellent news, Master."

Just the mention of the spell made the skin on Nya's back prickle. It was as if the purple snake tattoo was burning in anticipation. She could see Skylor reach back to rub her shoulder blade. They were both branded along with everyone who worked for Chen and both were anxious about what the spell would do to them once it was set in motion.

"Well, this certainly changes things," Chen said, smiling for the first time since he entered the throne room. "This can very well compensate for your ... tardiness."

"Does this mean I'm getting paid in full?" Ronin asked, slightly anxious. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment, no doubt the information on the Elemental Masters.

"Yes, yes," Chen said, waving the matter off. He was much more eager to get his hands on the paper. Clouse traded a heavy pouch of coin for it and handed it over to his master. The man opened it and skimmed over what was written, his grin growing with satisfaction.

As the guards led a relieved Ronin out of the hall, Chen tucked the parchment into Clouse's hands. "Gather your men and prepare the boats. You sail for Ninjago at dawn."

Clouse nodded but whatever he said, Nya didn't hear it. Skylor was tugging at her shoulder, whispering that they had to return  before anyone got suspicious.

. . .

Nya ducked as a blade of water slashed above her head. Not losing time, she gathered the dispersing droplets and forged a dozen small spheres. One by one, she shot them at Skylor like watery missiles.

The redhead held out a hand, stopping all of them in mid air except for one. It hit her head on, soaking her upper body. The impact weakend her hold on the others and they all crashed to the ground. Huffing and wiping away her damp hair, Skylor frowned at Nya's smirk.

"Ugh, the water's not listening," she growled, stamping her foot in the puddle. "One distraction and I lose control."

Nya placed her hands on her hips victoriously. "Maybe it knows you're not its true Master."

"Not helping."

"I'm just teasing," Nya smiled, walking over to her sister.

They were sparring in the training yard, the ground damp and wet with the remnants of their fight. With the tournament now looming close, Skylor felt pressured to perfect her mastery of water before she would have to absorb a different element.

She sighed, wrapping her arms around her torso as if to shield herself from failure. "You're right. I'm not the Master of Water. I'm not the Master of any element, in fact. Nothing responds to me willingly. I force it."

"That's not true," Nya said, lacing her fingers with Skylor's. They were cold and water still clung to her fingertips. "You're the Master of Amber. You can replicate every single element out there. Up until now, you've only used water. Who knows what else you can do?"

Skylor shook her head, pulling her hand away. "Nya, I'm supposed to be competing with people who have complete control over their elements. I'll just be an amateur."

"You're just anxious," Nya concluded. "You're worried about being perfect because you only have one element to focus on right now. When you'll have a whole tray of elements to choose from, you'll forget about perfectionism. Trust me."

Nya had to admit, it always felt nice to build her sister up when she broke down. To be her light in her moments of darkness. Before coming to this island, she'd been the one always stumbling in the dark while her bro- someone else was the beacon of encouragement and hope.

Someone else always told her to be brave and optimistic. Someone else was always there to defend her. And that someone else was so used to being the hero, considering Nya's help was never an option. She was reduced to a distressed damsel who always needed saving but couldn't save others.

With Skylor, it was never like that. Even though Nya was younger than her, Skylor always saw her as her equal. There were days where she was Nya's hero and days where Nya was hers.

Skylor gave her a small smile. "I really hope what you say is true. I have to focus more on storing all the elements for the spell rather than using them."

There it was again. That shiver down her spine at the thought of the transformation spell. It confused her as to why it was so crucial in their plan to take over Ninjago. Once all the Masters had their elements taken, there would be no one to stop her father. Then why was the spell so necessary?

"Do you really think the Green Ninja's power will strengthen the effect of the spell?" Skylor asked, referencing the conversation they overhead earlier.

The news that the centuries old prophecy of the fabled Green Ninja was fulfilled had spread like wildfire throughout Ninjago. Not even Chen's exiled paradise was left out. It was confirmed that the Green Ninja was strong enough to vanquish the ancient evil, the Overlord. Nya shuddered to think what kind of boost his powers would give to the transformation spell.

"If it does or if it doesn't, I'm not keen on finding out either way," Nya replied, wincing internally at the prickly sensation on her back.

Skylor nodded in agreement, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"What are my girls up to?"

They both turned around to see their father entering the yard. The excitement of the tournament added a glow to his face like a schoolboy on the first day of summer break. Nya grinned, happy to see her father like this.

"Nothing, just getting some training done," she answered, linking her arm through Skylor's. "Gotta be ready when the other competitors arrive."

Chen laughed, a triumphant sound. He reached his older daughter and gently lifted her chin towards him. "Especially you, my darling Amber. You have a very special role to play."

"I know, Father," Skylor muttered, dipping her head so that he could place a kiss on her forehead. Though her face bore pride, Nya could sense the unease this 'special role' struck in her sister.

"Oh, that reminds me!" Chen exclaimed, getting excited once more. "I've arranged for the two of you to accompany Clouse to the mainland in order to invite the Masters to the tournament."

Silence followed this announcement as both the sisters were struck dumb for a minute. Then they both squealed loudly causing their father to wince.

"Honestly?" Skylor asked, clutching Chen's arm in her excitement.

"But earlier today you were worried about anyone finding out about us," Nya said, reminded of when their father had gone pale upon their request to meet Ronin.

"That's the very reason I'm sending you out there," Chen explained, pointing out at the sunset with his intricately designed staff. "The other Elemental Masters need to see you boarding the boat with them to avoid suspicion. And this will also give you a chance to assess your targets beforehand."

Skylor was practically jumping. "Don't worry, Father. We won't let you down."

"And we'll make sure all the invitations make it to the right people," Nya added, smirking.

Master Chen's expression slowly shifted from fatherly warmth to that of a devious mastermind as he gazed into the crystal eyes of the serpent carved on top of his staff.

"The board has been set, my dears. All that's left is to collect the pawns."

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