CHAPTER FIFTEEN — THE NEW HOUSEGUEST
the green ninja — part one

"She is exactly what Leslie hope she would be." — lord garmadon

THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE MIDNIGHT TRAINING TO CLEAR THE MIND. Iris sat upon the stairs as she observed the ninja battle. One by one, they lined up to use their skills against a Serpentine dummy. But Kai was missing. She didn't know why but she was sure she was going to find out.

On Cole's turn, he used his scythe of quakes to take down his target. Then Jay used spinjitzu to reach his Serpentine before smacking it down with his golden nunchucks. And Zane, he threw his shurikens straight at the feet of his scaly target and froze it solid. 

"Good." Iris smiled as Nya shone down a beam to cast the three ninja into the light. "You and your powers are getting stronger."

Up on the landing above Iris, Nya frowned. "But where's Kai?"

"He wasn't there when I went to get him." Shrugged Iris. "But he should be around here somewhere." The last thing they needed right now was to lose another member of their team. Her Father was off to find his brother and her cousin was captured. They couldn't afford to anyone else. 

So, of course, they went out in search of the missing fire ninja.

And it didn't take them too long before they found him. In her Father's room. Dressed, head to toe, in green.

Iris just raised her eyebrow at her student as the others laughed and applauded him. "Very nice." Smirked Cole. "Perhaps if you tried the phrase 'fire dork' maybe it might work." The Wu girl shot the earth ninja a small glare for his words. 

Panicking, Kai flipped off his mask to stare at his friends, startled. "How long have you all been watching?" 

"The Green Ninja suit. That's awesome!"

Kai hung his head sadly. "Well, I was looking for some kind of clue from Sensei Wu and then I found this." He sighed. That was when Iris realised what was happening. Ever since the others had discovered their true potential, he been feeling left out. He wanted so badly to discover his power and become just like his brothers. Iris looked at the fire ninja sympathetically. 

"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." Zane reminded them. Oh how Iris knew that prophecy all too well. 

"Or she." Corrected Iris.

Nodding in understanding, Zane continued. "So Sensei Wu would most likely be very—"

"I know, I know." Sighed Kai as he walked away from them and towards the windows. "But I thought if I just tried it on, it might help me see my true potential." 

The current Sensei stepped forwards. "Kai, your true potential will come when you and it are ready. You must be patient. It will happen." 

With a shake of his head, the fire ninja continued. "I know." He exhaled deeply then the other four ninja walked over to join him by the window. There was nothing outside apart from darkness and clouds but the inky sky was starting to lighten as dawn approached. "But's not fair that you guys have unlocked your cool powers and I still haven't." This really was affecting him more than she anticipated. A frown crossed her lips as she reached over to place a hand upon the ninja's shoulder. "Besides, Iris's Father is gone and we don't know when he's coming back."

But just as those words fell from Kai's lips, a familiar voice resonated through the ship. Her Father had returned. 

Her heart leapt in her chest as a smile spread from ear to ear. Now their family was finally starting to become whole once more. Because Iris knew that once her Father had returned with the person he had set out to find, then they would begin their quest to bring Lloyd home. He had been with the Serpentine long enough.

The boys raced outside as fast as they could to reach their other teacher. But Iris was faster. She teleported her way outside and once she saw the man standing on the deck, she threw her arms around him. "Father, you're home!" Grinned the Wu girl as she delighted in the sight of her Father.

Wu chuckled. "Yes, Iris, I am." He smiled softly. "I missed you too." Her own smile widened at his words. "How were the ninja?"

"Good." Nodded the sort-of-Sensei just as the boys and Nya rounded the corner to meet Iris and her Father. They honestly didn't know why they were surprised to see Iris already embracing their returned mentor considering they knew about what she was capable of. "But it's been quite eventful in your absence."

"Of that, I have no doubt."

Kai had not yet joined them as he was obviously changing out of the green gi he had found in their Sensei's quarters. But the others all gathered around the old man to hear his account of his trip. And Iris had a small, confused frown on her face as she scanned her surroundings because the man her Father had left to retrieve was nowhere in sight. 

Where was her Uncle Garmadon?

Wu sighed contently. "Ah. It's so good to be home."

"So glad you're back."

Cole spoke up curiously. "Did you bring us anything?" Behind Wu, Iris had to do her best to stifle a laugh. Considering the far reaches of the known realms her Father no doubt went to to find his brother, Iris wasn't sure there would be a gift shop around. 

Walking towards the man, Jay began. "Oh, Sensei, have you missed a lot." Before Iris could stop him, Jay jumped onto the dining table. "Zane's a Nindroid, Nya's the mysterious Samurai, Cole's a dancer—"

"Zane is a what?" Iris slapped her forehead in exasperation. She was going to lead her Father into these topics slowly so that she could properly explain what happened while he was away. But then Jay just went and explained it all in a few lines. 

Stepping forward, Zane said. "You've been gone a while. We'll catch you up later."

After casting a scolding look at Jay, Iris then spoke up. "If we're gonna summarise the time we spent without you, we can't ignore the fact that all the ninja — apart from Kai — have unlocked their true potential." Seeing her Father's inquiring look, she added. "It was incredible. I was there."

"Have they now? Where is Kai?"

The next thing they heard was breathless pants as the master of fire headed straight for him. Green was no longer clad against his limbs, which was a good sign, and his usual red had replaced it. "Right here." He announced his presence. "So glad you're back safe."

Then her Uncle's four arms became visible behind her Father's back and he stepped out to reveal himself.

Wait.... back track....FOUR ARMS? When did that happen?

Staring at her Uncle, wide eyed in shock, Iris was stood where she was and was otherwise unalarmed by his appearance. Kai, on the other hand, immediately leapt into action. He raised his sword and swung it at the now four-armed man. Now that was going to take some getting used to. Zane dived in front of the two Wu's as Kai went to attack her Uncle.

"Aah! He's got four arms!" Yelled Kai in shock as he went to strike Garmadon. The old man pushed back against the fire ninja as he pressed down his sword to strike. They had to stop this. "He must've followed you, Sensei!" 

Somehow she managed to get past Zane's protective wall to reach the ninja. "No, Kai!"

"Kai, stop!" Exclaimed Wu the same time as his daughter. "He is the reason I left. For as long as Pythor has Lloyd, he will be our guest."

Of course, the ninja protested. After everything they had gone through with Garmadon, it was easy just to see the evil within him. But her Grandfather was balance incarnate and therefore despite his appearance, good was hiding in her Uncle somewhere. 

"We have to live with this guy?"

"But Sensei, he has four arms!"

 Jay pushed forwards. "Uh, must I remind you ever since he turned evil he's been trying to get our golden weapons?" 

"Enough!" Bellowed Wu. 

His anger caused all of the ninja to back down. Iris meanwhile, turned to look at her Uncle curiously as she had not seen him in so long. Then she offered out one of her hands to the four-armed man which he hesitantly accepted and she helped him onto his feet. His teeth were sharp like knives, and his eyes were red like blood, yet there was a sense of gratitude in his face after his niece had helped him up after being tackled to the ground. 

After Iris helped him to his feet, Lord Garmadon addressed the ninja. "This isn't about the weapons, it's about my son."

"From here on out you will obey me and you will respect my brother." Instructed Wu as he faced his students.

Then Iris added, directing her gaze more towards Kai. "Which means no fighting." 

"Yes, Senseis."

The ninjas nods of compliance settled some of their anxieties and then they began their way back inside the ship. "Now to the bridge. We must put our attention to more pressing matters. "Like Lloyd and the Fangblades. Oh how Iris was dreading to tell her Father that they were already two down. Iris and her Uncle followed behind Wu as he led them all inside. And once they were out of sight of the ninja, Wu leaned over to give his daugther a curious look. "Did they just call you Sensei?"

Iris hummed. "Yes, they've been doing that more lately. I quite like it." Panic quickly flurried in her chest. "Wait, should I not? I am not supposed to have that title."

The older Sensei just offered his daughter a comforting smile. "It's alright, Iris. It suits you." Garmadon observed the conversation curiously. "I'm proud of you." Iris was sure her heart almost burst out of her chest right at that moment. Heat flushed her cheeks at his words.

"Thank you, Father."

Then the family disappeared into the ship where the ninja would soon meet them. And Wu and Lord Garmadon were about to find out how close to unleashing the dreaded Great Devourer the Serpentine actually were.

DAWN HAD ARRIVED BY THE TIME THEY HAD ALL SETTLED DOWN INSIDE THE BRIDGE. Now it was time to inform her Father of where they were up to with retrieving the Fangblades which wasn't going to go down well — especially with her Uncle. Anxiously, Iris fiddled with the cuffs of her yellow suit as she awaited the dreaded question. And it came.

After her Father inevitably asked about the four weapons, Jay managed to speak up. "Pythor's managed to take the first two, but there's still two left."

"And we only need one in order to prevent him from unleashing the Great Devourer." Agreed Cole as he defended their failings. And out of the corner of her eye, she swore she saw her Uncle flinch somewhat at the mention of that dreaded serpent. Iris remembered what her Uncle was like before the darkness within his veins finally took complete control. The twins were still quite young but Iris remembered how his appearance began to warp to reflect the darkness within his soul. The darkness that the Great Devourer had given him.

But the four arms were definitely new though.

"Any luck finding their whereabouts?"

Zane shook his head. "No, but the falcon is programmed to alert us if he sees any suspicious activity." At the mention of their robotic feathered friend, Iris smiled. She really did like that bird. 

"Good." Nodded Wu with small relief. "If we find the Fangblade, we find Lloyd."

"And we must find him, and soon."

Turning to his daughter, Wu placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder before he addressed the rest of the elemental warriors. "Kai and Nya, prepare the deck and double check the anchor. We need to be ready when we first hear word of activity." Then the Smith siblings nodded their heads in acknowledgement and left. Well, not before Kai could walk straight into the doorframe as he refused to take his eyes from Lord Garmadon. After that, the old Sensei turned to his pupils with a frown upon his lips. "Did Zane say that the falcon was programmed?"

Iris chuckled softly at the confusion. Oh how this was going to be one puzzling conversation. So Jay began their tale as he started to recall the events that transpired during her Father's absence. As Wu listened intently to what the lightning ninja had to say, Iris placed a smile on her face. 

"I'll go make some tea."

HAVING HER UNCLE BACK UNDER THE SAME ROOF WAS... UNUSUAL TO SAY THE LEAST. He wasn't what you would call a normal houseguest but it seemed most of the ninja were making an effort to tolerate the dark Lord despite their previous altercations. Iris was very grateful for that. But of course Kai was still on the green-ninja-train whose destination was to defeat the darkness. So naturally he thought he was the one and had to defeat her Uncle to prove it. It wasn't going to be an easy stay for the family of the First Spinjitzu Master, that was certain.

Garmadon filed down his teeth instead of brushing them. He ate strange food that contained bugs — which was probably what he ate in the Realm of Madness as her Father informed her. Jay complained that he ruined TV time by turning off romcoms and putting on gruesome horror films that the dark Lord found amusing. And he liked to sunbathe during thunderstorms. So, he wasn't like any houseguest they would ever have. But he was still family and he wanted to help find his son.

Which was why, one morning, she had found her Uncle sat in what was Lloyd's room. 

Iris entered the room with a cautious step to find the four armed man sat with a children's book clutched in his many hands. "Uncle Garmadon, are you alright?" 

The man almost jumped out of his skin at her voice. He quickly spun around to face her, startled by her presence. "I did not see you there, Iris." When he saw the soft smile on her face, he cast his eyes back down to the book in his hands and Iris followed his gaze. It was Jack the Rabbit. "I never got to read this to them. And now Lloyd has gone and opened the Serpentine tombs." 

"He has learnt from his mistake—"

"But he wouldn't have made that mistake in the first place if I was here!" Shouted Garmadon as he tightened his grip on the tale. "It's my fault. Oh what both him and my Loralyn must think of me."

As he said those words, Iris had been slowly making her way towards him and gently reached out to place a hand upon his arm. "We cannot change the past, Uncle, only the future." He almost scoffed at hearing his brother's words coming from her mouth. "But when we did read it to him, we made sure to tell him that you would have gladly been the one to do it." Garmadon hug his head. 

"Thank you."

"Of course." Nodded Iris before she removed her hand from her Uncle to make her way to Lloyd's bed. She knelt down next to his pillow before reaching under it. And when she pulled her hand away, she had the picture she had given Lloyd. The one of her and Loralyn. Loralyn had always adored her Father when she was younger as he had adored her. So Iris quickly got to her feet before showing the four armed man the picture. "I gave this to Lloyd. It's the newest picture I have of her."

Taking the picture with one hand, he ran the other two across the image. "My daughter." A sad smile tugged at his lips. "She has grown a lot since I last saw her. Do you keep in contact?"

Iris nodded. "Letters mostly. But I haven't sent anything in a while." Admitted the Wu girl as she hung her head. "After...." She exhaled heavily. "... After Lloyd was taken, I just couldn't bring myself to write with bad news. But after we get him back, I'll tell her everything."

But before Garmadon could utter another word, Wu appeared in the doorway. He glanced between his brother and daughter and then said. "Ah, there you both are. I was wondering if you would like to join me for some tea?" A bright grin spread across her face at that.

"Of course, Father."

Garmadon just hummed as if thinking it over. "Alright." Then he placed down the book and photo by Lloyd's bedside before making his way to his brother. "You raised her well, brother." He nodded towards his niece. "She is exactly what Leslie hoped she would be." 

Iris's heart clenched at the mention of her Mother. Passing when she was eight, Iris had some memories of the woman who raised her, enough to make her sad anyhow. Her eyes widened at his words as she stared at her family in surprise. "I tried my best."

"She looks so much Leslie." Mused Garmadon as he stood beside his immortal brother and cast a glance at the girl in front of them. Now that made Iris frown. She had always believed she looked more like her Father, or at least she used to when she was a child. But now her Uncle was saying she looked like her Mother. 

A sad smile appeared on Wu's face as agreed with his brother. "Yes, she does." Then he turned directly to Iris. "You have her strong spirit, Iris. If she could see you now, your Mother would be so proud." Tears started to fall from Iris's eyes, so much so that Garmadon had to look away. He was uncomfortable with human emotion. Wu reached forwards and encased his daughter in his arms in to which she cried all the tears she had. When she finally stopped, Wu pulled back and smiled. "Now, lets go before the tea gets cold."

Wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands, Iris chuckled. You could always rely on her Father to be consistent with one thing, and that was tea.

EPISODE TEN!!! HERE WE GO!!!

We have Garamadon returning and we all know what happens at the end of the episode. Gotta love the small moments that show the evil Lord Garmadon still has heart and they normally always have something to do with his family. Leslie was his sister-in-law but he did love her like she was his sister. 

Iris obviously knows what her Uncle has done but she believes in second chances and she knew Loralyn would want her to help her Father. I love our girls so much dorkiest_nerd 

And Wu accepting his daughter's Sensei title >>>. She definitely deserves it. She has done so well with protecting the ninja while he was away and that's before you add in everything they've had to deal with during that time too. 

Thank you for reading!!!

Sincerely Rosie aka Winter326