Hey guys! Happy Labor Day! Just a quick warning, this one might be a bit more violent than my other ones. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

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Zach's P.O.V.:

*********Flashback**********

I went to Ninjago city and met up with Maizy at Laughy's Karaoke Club. She told me she was going to sing and wanted me to watch her. I walked in and saw her at a table drinking some boba tea. I joined her at the table.

"Hey Maizy. I'm here." I said.

"Great." She smiled. "Are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" I asked confused.

"Your date." She smiled.

"My date? What date?"

"This is a blind date. I knew you wouldn't have come if I told you about it."

"Maizy I told you I don't need a..."

"Oh look here she is now." She gestured towards the door.

I turned around and saw Tammy walking through the door. Tammy's been my friend for so long, but I never thought of her like that.

"Tammy? Why is she here?" I asked, as if I didn't already know.

"Because Uncle Zach, you need to get out there and you and Tammy are great together." Maizy said. "You can thank me later."

"Maizy I..."

"Hello Zach." Tammy came up behind me.

"Oh, hi Tammy." I blushed.

"I'm gonna go get a refill. You two just sit and chat." Maizy said leaving the table.

"Look, I'm so sorry, I had no idea Maizy was up to this." I apologized. "You're a good friend and all, but I just don't feel... that way. You know?"

"That's ok, I don't feel that way either, but why disappoint her?" Tammy looked at Maizy at the bar, eagerly watching us.

"Yeah, I guess we can make the best of it for her sake." I laughed.

We started making conversation and before we knew it we were talking for hours. We actually had a lot more in common than I thought. I thought that it would be awkward, but it wasn't. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was... falling in love.

At some point, Tammy excused herself and went to the bathroom. As she walked away, Maizy came over and she was so excited.

"You're doing great Uncle Zach." She smiled.

"I gotta admit, I wasn't that interested at first, but then we got to talking and, I think I really like her." I admitted. "Thanks Maizy."

"Of course." She smiled.

All of a sudden two shady figures entered the building. They got close to us and made us go with them or they would threaten Tammy. I offered for them to just take me and not Maizy, but they refused, kicked me in my ankle and dragged us both out of there. They threw sacks over our heads and knocked us both out...

******End of Flashback******

I woke up in some kind of basement, trapped in a cage. I had no idea where I was and my ankle really hurt. Maizy was next to me unconscious.

"Maizy? Maizy wake up." I shook her awake.

Her eyes opened and she started coming to. She looked around.

"Uncle Zach? What happened?" She held her head.

"Are you ok?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I think so." She looked at my ankle. "What about you?"

"Don't worry about me. Do your powers work?"

"I'll try." Maizy tried to put up her force field, but it didn't work. "I can't do it. The bars must be vengestone."

"That's ok, save your strength." I told her.

Maizy held her head again. She looked really out of it.

"Are you sure you're alright." I asked again.

"Yeah, I'm just dizzy."

Maizy frowned and sat down on the floor of the cage. I sat with her but unfortunately I didn't have anything to make her feel better.

"You think we wouldn't find you?" We heard someone approach. I'd know that voice anywhere.

"Akamu." I looked at him. "Got out of jail again?"

"Well this time I had a little help." He said as someone appeared behind him.

"No, it can't be." Maizy looked at her.

"Who is that?" I whispered to her.

"Harumi." Maizy frowned. "I've only seen her in photographs."

"Right you are, my dear niece." Harumi smiled. "Your father told me how clever you were. You get that from me."

"I am nothing like either of you." Maizy stated.

"What do you want from us?" I asked.

"Bait." Harumi said. "I read all about how that green ninja saved you, and I'm sure he'll do it again."

"But that's not the green ninja you remember. It's his son." I said.

"I know, that's even better." She laughed. "What a perfect way to get our revenge."

"Revenge?" I asked.

"You see, he took away our parents, so the only thing that would make him feel just as bad as we did that day..." Akamu said.

"You're gonna take away his son." I realized.

"Ding ding ding, we have a winner." Harumi clapped. "Your prize is a front row seat to the show."

"You can't do that to him!" Maizy stood up.

"Shut up you annoying little brat." Akamu yelled.

"I'm so glad I don't live with you anymore." Maizy said.

Akamu got angry and hit the side of the cage. Maizy backed up into the wall in fear and fell to the ground. I tried to help her up but my ankle still hurt.

"Ryder won't fall for it!" She yelled at them.

"If he's as gullible as his father, he will." Harumi laughed.

Harumi and Akamu left with a couple guards watching us. I looked at Maizy, who was understandably a little shook up. She sat down and almost started crying.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"No, this is all my fault." She cried. "If I hadn't set you up then we wouldn't have been at Laughy's and none of this would be happening."

"Maizy it's not your fault, wherever we were they probably wouldn't have found us anyway. And to tell you the truth, I actually had a pretty good time."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." She wiped a tear from her eye.

"No, I'm serious. Tammy and I have a lot more in common than I thought. Plus she's really smart and pretty and I think I really like her."

"Really?" She looked up at me.

"Yeah, thank you for setting us up."

"You're welcome Dad."

"Did you just call me dad?" I was shocked.

"Oh did I?" Maizy blushed. "I-I'm so sorry I didn't mean to..."

"It's ok." I smiled.

I was actually flattered by her calling me her dad. I had always wanted to have kids of my own, but with everything else going on in my life I never had time to settle down. I devoted my life to taking care of Maizy since the day Zoey got into the accident, and I still intend to do just that. My sister would have wanted it that way.

"Do you feel better now?" I asked.

"A little." She smiled. "Thanks."

"And don't worry, I'm sure Ryder and the others will find us."

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about." Maizy frowned.

Ryder's P.O.V.:

Me and the rest of my team all met up back at the base. I thought it would be better to regroup and share what we found out while we were split up. We knew that the overlord was back, that he was attempting to control Axel, that he was after Ethan and where Akamu and Harumi were holding Zach and Maizy. Now we just had to come up with a plan.

Everyone was talking about what we should do, I got a weird phone call. I took it into the next room and picked it up.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hello Green Ninja junior." I heard a familiar voice.

"Wait, Harumi? How did you get this number?" I asked.

"That's not really the question you should be asking." She said.

"Where are Zach and Maizy?" I demanded.

"They're safe for now, but unless you do exactly what I ask, you will never see them again."

"Fine. What is it?"

"Come alone, no weapons, no powers, no tricks. The Ninjago building memorial, well under it actually."

"Fine, I'll be there." I hung up.

I'm not stupid, I knew this was a trap, but she was going to hurt them if I didn't do it. I knew the team wouldn't approve, so I got in my car and drove until I got there. But when I parked I heard something moving around in the backseat.

"Ashley, your too old to be pulling this again." I sighed.

"Hi Ryder." Ethan popped up from under the seats.

"Ethan? Why are you here?" I was surprised.

"Because I saw you going into the car alone and I figured you might need some help."

"Well I don't!" I facepalmed. "It's you who they want and since you stowed away, I led you right to them."

"Oh, I didn't think about that." I frowned.

"Yeah, plus mom and dad are going to be looking for you."

"I'm sorry." He frowned.

"It's fine, just wait in the car. Keep the doors locked and make sure no one sees you."

"Ok." He frowned.

I left my weapon outside and went in by myself, just like they asked. I walked in to see Maizy and Zach in a cage.

"Ryder run! It's a trap!" Maizy yelled.

"I did what you asked Harumi. Now please let them go." I said.

"I will, but not until I'm done with you first."

I felt a cold sensation on the back of my neck. I did spinjitsu and sent her to the other side of the room. I ran to the cage and tried to get the locks undone, but Akamu came from behind me and pushed me down. I tried to fight him off but he was too strong.

"Leave him alone!" Maizy shouted, banging on the bars.

I managed to use a small bit of my power to land a hit and get him off of me. There was so much vengestone in here it was hard to use them. I did my best and tried to fight him off, but then...

"Akamu, look who I found." Harumi came back in.

I looked up and she was holding Ethan by his shirt. He was freaked out and calling for me.

"Put him down. Now." I sparked up my powers as best I could.

"Oh please, you know me better than that." Harumi laughed.

"No. No!" I shouted.

Akamu held me back and Harumi threw Ethan into the cage with Zach and Maizy. I got really angry.

"I said, let. him. go!" I growled.

"Just like your grandfather." Harumi laughed.

Blood was boiling through my veins. I got so angry that I took my hands turned purple. All I could feel was rage. I ran into her and threw my powers at them. They dodged them but I realized my powers were different. I tried again and landed a hit on both of them unconscious. I was about to finish it, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I went to help them and Harumi shotted awake and picked me up by the neck. I couldn't breathe. All I could do was look at my brother who had to watch all this knowing that he wasn't able to help.

"Ok Harumi!" Ethan shouted. "I'll do whatever you want just please let him go."

"Ethan... d-don't do this..." I said trying to keep from choking.

"Hmm interesting offer." Harumi said. "But no."

Harumi continued to strangle me by tightening her grip. I could see the light going out in my eyes. I felt dizzy and couldn't see anything. I was starting to black out...

Narrator's P.O.V.:

"I said let him go!" Ethan yelled.

"Oh yeah, and what are you going to do about it?" Harumi laughed. "You're probably not even potty trained yet."

Akamu and Harumi kept laughing. Ryder's body was hanging from Harumi's hand by his neck, flailing around like a rag doll. He was no longer kicking and screaming like he was before. His eyes weren't open, his face was turning blue, and he wasn't talking anymore. Ethan knew he had to do something, but what could he do?

"AHHH!" Ethan screamed in anger.

His fists and eyes turned purple and out of pure rage, he kicked the cage door open and jumped to Harumi, pinning her to the ground and making her drop Ryder. Akamu tried to get to him but Maizy jumped in front of him and formed her forcefield.

"Maizy, move." Akamu said.

"I don't think so. You've hurt too many people this time." Maizy said.

They continued to fight and Zach ran over to Ryder and tended to him. Ethan faced off against Harumi with his new Oni form. He had four arms and his clothes turned golden. This was it, his true potential. His eyes and hands glowed a purple color and he hit Harumi so hard that she was bounced back into the cage and knocked unconscious.

"Harumi!" Akamu yelled.

She ran after her and stepped into the cage. That was when Ethan slammed the door and locked it.

"You idiot!" Harumi woke up and started screaming at Akamu.

"How was I supposed to know?" Akamu shrugged.

They kept arguing. Ethan was so exhausted he could hardly stand, but he still made it over to see his brother on the ground.

"Ryder!" Ethan shouted. "Wake up Ryder. Wake up."

"Ethan, we need to get Ryder some help." Zach put his hand on his shoulder.

"Guys?" Skylor ran in wearing her uniform.

"Skylor! Are we happy to see you." Zach smiled.

"What happened here?" She looked around.

"There's no time to explain. We need your car so we get Ryder some help." Zach said.

"Ok take my car. I'll stay here and watch over these two." Skylor gave Zach her keys.

"Come on, we gotta hurry." Maizy said. "Can you walk Ethan?"

"Yeah." Ethan nodded.

Maizy and Zach carefully lifted Ryder up and got him in the car. They drove him back to Wu's apartment hoping that they could save Ryder. This was their last hope.

Lloyd's P.O.V.:

Kira was pacing the floor. We had looked all over the place for the boys and neither of them were answering their phones. We Skylor after them but we hadn't heard back yet. Kai and Amber even came over to help us look here while the rest of the team was looking all over the city, but no one was having any luck.

"Help! Help!" We heard someone screaming outside.

We came outside to see Ethan, Zach and Maizy. Zach had Ryder unconscious in his arms. He looked completely beat up and there were deep scratches on his neck. Ethan looked exhausted.

"Ryder!" Kira exclaimed. "What happened?"

"Harumi happened." Zach frowned. "I was going to take him to a hospital but this was closer."

"Get him inside. Quickly." Kira said.

We got him inside and laid him down on the table. Everyone was shocked to see him like that, especially Ashley.

Kira started feeling around for his pulse. She had a worried look on her face when she touched his wrist.

"Kira, is he..."

"He's alive but I'm afraid he's not going to be unless we have a miracle up our sleeve." She frowned.

"I can do it." Ashley said.

"Ashley, this will take a lot more power than you've ever used before." Kira warned. "If you do this alone, you might not make it. Do you understand?"

"I don't care what the risks are. He's my brother and I want to help him." She stated.

"You might be willing to risk your life, but I'm not losing two of my children today." I frowned.

"What? You just want to let him die?" Ashley frowned.

"Of course not. We'll find another way. There has to be another way." I frowned.

Kira put her hand under Ryder's nose. "Lloyd he's not breathing. We need to do something now or he's going to..."

"Wait, I have an idea!" Amber spoke up.

She touched Ashley's hand and absorbed a little of her power. Then she whispered something to Ashley and she nodded and they both surrounded Ryder and started healing him together. Kira jumped on top of Ryder and started giving him CPR to get him breathing again.

Kira kept pressing on his chest and giving him rescue breaths. She was growing more and more exhausted by the minute, but I knew she wasn't going to stop no matter what. Amber and Ashley were trying to heal his injuries. His bruises and scratches went away but there was no telling if all the injuries he had would be healed because they were getting tired too.

It took about 4 minutes, but it was all worth it when we finally got him to open his eyes and take a deep breath. Ashley, Amber and Kira were exhausted, but they seemed happy anyway.

"Wha... What happened?" Ryder sat up and held his sides. "Ow!"

"Hey son take it easy." I said. "We're just glad you're alive."

He looked over at Kira, Ashley and Amber. "What happened to you guys?"

"We'll tell you later." Kira smiled through her exhaustion. "I'm just glad those nursing classes payed off."

"Why do my ribs hurt so much?" Ryder looked at Kira.

"I... I'm so sorry." Kira frowned. "I was only focused on saving you, I might have pushed too hard."

"It's ok Mom, thanks for saving me." Ryder smiled and coughed. He held his sides again.

"Here let me help."

Kira ran to get the first aid kit and took a look at Ryder. Ashley and Amber healed him for the most part, but he still had broken ribs who knows what else.

"Are you girls ok?" Kai asked Amber and Ashley.

"Now that Ryder's ok, I am." Ashley caught her breath.

"Akamu? Harumi?" Ryder looked around.

"Skylor just texted me." Kai looked at his phone. She said they're in custody, this time under 24 hour supervision and in a highly secure cell. They won't be bothering anyone ever again."

"Good." Ethan said leaning back on a chair.

"Are you ok Ethan?" I asked.

"He's exhausted. He just unlocked his true potential." Maizy said.

"What? He did? And I missed it?" Ryder frowned, holding his head.

"You unlocked your true potential already?"

"Yeah! I grew two more arms and got these cool powers! You should've seen me daddy, it was awesome!" Ethan exclaimed.

"I'm sure it was, but you both should have told us where you were going. You had us worried for you and your whole team is all over the city looking for you both right now."

"I can explain I..." Ryder started when he coughed.

"You know what, let's talk about this in the morning." Kira said. "It's been such a long day and we're all tired."

After that, we decided to take everyone home. It was nice to finally get back to our home and sleep in our own beds. At least for tonight, everything was back to normal.