- Zane -

In the lonely, desert street, a falcon flies down on an electric wire. It's head snaps in forward direction, speaking softly and vague,"wake up, Zane...I know where you come from-"

I jolt awake, hitting my head on the wooden board above me. I get out of bed and walk to the control area of our Bounty. Sensei Wu and Nya are there, and I greet them with a confident smile. "The hunt starts early today."

"A watchful eye never sleeps-"

"As long as Lloyd and the serpentine roam freely, no one in Ninjago is safe."

"Where are the others?" I ask.

Sensei Wu answers,"they're training on the upper deck."

I go there to not find them at all. Instead, I see the falcon again as it lands on the sailing pole. "You were in my dream, little friend. Last time I saw you, you led me to good fortune. What reason have you returned?"

The falcon takes off to the sky where I can no longer see it, and I search the ground below the Bounty to see nothing but clouds. But from behind, I sensed a dark presence. Turning around, my suspension was correct.

"Lord Garmadon! But you were banished!"

"Only to return for the weapons of spinjitzu. Soon, I will have the power to recreact Ninjago in my own image!"

The dark lord comes at me with twin katanas, taking the first swing. I flip over him to dogde and pulled out my golden shurikens.

"Give me your Shurikens of Ice!"

"You'll have to take them from me!"

I began to use my spinjitzu, but Lord Garmadon catches me by the neck, stopping my motion. He pushes me onto the training equipment before cutting a rope and a crate falls ontop of me. Or so, I thought it did. I opened my eyes and the green ninja was the one who stopped the crate.

"The green ninja.." I stare in awe,"the legends true!"

He tosses the crate over the side and rushes forward to fight Lord Garmadon. A lot of dodging and hitting went on, with Garmadon nearly impaling the green ninja with the katanas. He suddenly pulls out Jay's golden nunchucks and knocks the dark lord off the bounty. I look back at him as he had the falcon resting on his arm and a fist on fire.

"Who are you?" I questioned him, without a response after. "Kai, is that you-?" Suddenly, there were more falcons surrounding us both, and he still won't answer me. "What's the meaning of this!? Who are you, Green Ninja--!?"

"Zane..."

It all stops...and I'm now in a white room. I heard a young woman's voice. I couldn't see anything until I felt a tap on my shoulder. Behind me was another ninja, but in purple, with silver details. She had her in a braid (or cut short, idc) for she wasn't wearing her mask fully over. And her eyes, they were practically celestial.

"Relax, you're still dreaming."

"Wha-..who are you?" I asked the woman, "are you another prophecized legendary hero??"

She chuckled,"I am not a prophecy, or a legend...just an old relic of Ninjago's history."

"Why are you here? What do you want??"

"My, aren't you chatty? Then again, that is what I was hoping for; a simple chat-*snap!*"

As she snaps her fingers, the setting changes into a sunset scenary with a single floating, sky island. There was stone table, set under a weeping cheery tree. The tree roots were acting as siting places.. Everything looked so beautiful.

The purple ninja sat down and motions for me to do the same. She snaps her fingers again, making two cups of tea to appear before us. "Please, have a drink."

I take the cup in my hands. It felt warm, as if it was real. Not even taking a sip, I forcefully land the cup back down. "What is this?!" I questioned the woman. "Who are you? Why are you in my head? What are-"

"I told you that already. I'm a relic....dickbag. *sips*"

"And what else?!? I'm not getting any answers from you! Do you have something to do with the serpentine? Lloyd?? The DARK LORD?? ANYTHING!?"

"......" The ninja sits there silently. Slowly moving the cup down from her lips and places it back on the table. She locks her eyes with mine, and with such intensity. "I have everything to do with it all...I'm a piece working tirelessly in history's stupid game...My work is not finished until it is resolved...Even after many deaths, I have to keep going..*sigh*....but this time, just might be my final chance to end it all...Hah, I mean...this IS the final life I'll live.."

I'm quiet where I sat. Surprised by everything she said. Lifetimes. Could that be it? And what does she mean by her having to do with everything that's been going on? Before I can ask, everything was brightening up.

"It's morning: time for you to wake up. Don't wanna miss Wu's Sunrise Exercise, right?"

"Wait! I still have questions!!"

"Don't worry, Zane. You'll see me again very soon. If anything, you can always ask my old friend Wu. Tell him I said 'hi' for me, okay?-- Oh!! And also...a friend is better than an enemy--"

"Wait-*THUD* Ahh!!" I jolt awake, but only to hit my head on Kai's top bunk.

"Oh, sleeping in?? You're gonna be late for training." Jay teased.

I hold head while sighing,"how come no one awakened me??"

"We didn't think you wanted us to," said Kai. "You looked like you were having some dream."

After what just happened, I wasn't sure. "How do I know this isn't a dream-uhh!!" Cole hits me with a pillow.

"Does that feel like a dream?"

"No. Thank you for your help." I said sarcastically, while my brothers laughed.

As we were all finally dressed, the four of us head to the upper deck with Sensei Wu- that's right! I have to tell him about what I dreamt last night too.

"Heh-heh. A little slow today, huh?" Kai chuckled,"what exactly did you dream about??"

"I saw the falcon again," I answered, now grabbing the other two's attention.

"Whoa. Zane, every time you see that bird something big happens. First, it lead you to the secret tree house."

"Then, it lead you to The Bounty-"

Sensei Wu pauses our conversation as he stood in front of us. "All right. Stretches." He says, turning his back. "First, the Swooping Crane." We copy his form.

"This time, it showed me the Green Ninja-"

"The Green Ninja?!"

Sensei Wu faces us again, 3 out of four of us dropping the pose. "That looks like the Shocked Monkey. Bad form. More focus." And he turn around again.

"You can't just drop a bomb like that! Spill the beans!" Jay whispers, the others agreeing.

"What else did you see?"

"He was fighting Lord Garmadon."

"That's what the prophecy said. That the Green Ninja would defeat the Dark Lord." Kai quoted,"but did you have a chance to see which of us is him??"

"I could not tell. He shared attributes each of us possess--"

"Now..Pinching Crab." We copy Sensei's movements again.

"Well, tell us everything, and don't spare any details! There has to be a clue that tells us which one of us is going to be the Green Nin-- Ow, ow, ow! Hey!" Kai shouts as Sensei Wu pulls on his hair.

"What was so important to ignore my teachings??" He asks.

"Uh, nothing."

"It was nothing, sensei."

"Yeah, we don't talk while you teach."

"Everyone was paying attention." That didn't seem to fool him.

"Since you all appear ti be lacking in focus, then you can all share in the punishment." As he said this, everyone tries to point the blame on me.

"Huh?! I was merely answering their questions!"

"No free time and no video games. The rest of the day can be used for training. And tomorrow, for that matter."

"Training? For how long?"

"Until you can answer this simple riddle. What is the best way to defeat an enemy?"

"Easy, with your sword!-"

"Your fists!-"

"Spinjitzu!-"

"Tornado of Creation??"

Sensei Wu sighs as he walks away,"pace yourselves..You have a lot of training ahead of you. Make sure you sharpen your mind as well as your spinjitzu."

After that, everyone starts to pull out the training equipment, a little irritated about this punishment.

Cole sighs, pulling out a training stick. "What's the best way to defeat an enemy? It could be anything!"

"Come on, guys, we're smart. We can figure this out." Jay encouraged.

Kai looks for Sensei and sees that he's completely out of sight before gripping my shoulder. "Yeah, but let's hear more about this dream."

"Let me just say...the Green Ninja is awesome!"

- You -

Back, at the snowy peak by Jamanikai Village, Lloyd's new Fangpyre army marches up the slope of the Hypnobrai mountain. And as expected, the Hypnobrai were straight ahead of us.

"The Hypnobrai.." Lloyd said darkly. "Now to teach them a lesson for betraying Lloyd Garmadon!...uh, do your thing, Fangpyre. I let you out oc your hole for a reason."

"ATTACK!!" Ordered the two-headed general. The two armies make it closer and closer, until they stopped entirely. Fangtom, the red general jumps off the head vehicle as Scales shoves his staff into the snow. They stare at each other for a second, until--

"Scales, my old chum!" Exclaimed the head on the right. "I didn't think I'd be fighting you!" Said the other. "Hm, moved up in the world, have we?"

Scales shook their hand,"if it isn't the Fangpyre! Of all the cold-blooded to creep up on us, I'm glad that it is a friend."

Upon hearing this, Lloyd didn't take it so well. "Wait, I thought you were enemies! Not friends!"

"We were at war...but seeing that Scales is now leading them...well, I don't see why we can't be comrades."

"Had you released the Constrictai, the Venomari, or heaven forbid the Anacondrai, then we would've had a tussel."

I mean..he's not wrong. Things could've been worse if that was the case.

"A tussel? A tussel?! But I'm Lloyd Garmadon, bringer of evil!!" It's cute that he believes that.

The two acting generals have their backs turned against him. Coming up with ideas on what to do with us. Lloyd and I didn't want to stay any longer to give them the chance. I take his hand and I urged him the run. The rest of the fangpyre try to corner us, but I have us climb onto the one of the tanks. And clearly, with a mind if it's own, it uses it's scorpion like tail to fling us into the air.

I landed on my butt as Lloyd's head was just plugged into the snow. I took the moment to chuckle before helping him up.

"Shut up, (name)." He says embarrassingly. Ugh, those snakes are going to pay for this. Let's go!...I need to find another tomb."

Here we go again..

- Jay -

"..with his fists on fire." Zane concluded, finished of telling his dream.

"Woah.."

"So, I'm the Green Ninja." Kai said, but Cole cuts him off.

"What are you talking about? He had incredible strength to lift that cargo and save his life. It's me!"

"no, no." I but in,"did you miss the part of the story where the guy pulled out nunchucks? I have nunchucks!"

"I think you're all missing the point." Said Zane. "The point is the falcon flew on his arm and it was my dream, so naturally it's me!"

"I think we can cross Cole off the list. I could've lifted ten times--"

"Woah, cross me off the list?! Anyone can hold nunchucks!"

As we debated, Sensei Wu came back and saw fairly well that we weren't training, like he told us to. "Since you aren't training, you must have already found the answer to my riddle. What is the best way to defeat your enemy?"

Kai tried giving him the best guess he could think of, "uh, the best way to defeat your enemy is to...train, sensei?"

Sensei turns his nose up in disappointment, "feeble and incorrect! Maybe more training will help you focus. Remember what happened to your vehicles when you lost focus. A razor-sharp weapon is an extension of a razor-sharp mind.--"

"Wait, sensei!!" Zane called out to his before leaving. "....an old friend of yours...she wanted to me to tell you she says 'hi.'"

We all gave him a weird look, but Sensei Wu seemed to have the idea of what he was saying. He bows his head to the sky and leaves us again.

"'She says hi'?" Kai raised a brow. "Who were you talking about?"

"Yeah, and what do they have to do with Wu?" I added.

"It all happened after my dream about the Green Ninja." Zane admitted. "It was all vague with her. I can't fully make it out. But this person may still be alive, or reborn, if you will."

"Y-you mean like a zombie?" Shuddered Cole.

"No, just reborn: reincarnated. A new person and a new life. She says she knows, or has something to do with everything going on right now."

"If that's true, we should be looking for her." Kai concluded. "It'll makes things easier to deal with Lloyd and the serpentine with her on our side."

"Maybe, but how can we focus on her if we don't know who the Green Ninja is?"

"Look, let's just try solving the riddle, for now. I don't want to spend the whole day training..."

- Lloyd -

After leaving the snowy mountains, the map had lead (name) and I to a hot desert. I can't wait to make those backstabbing-snakes pay for betraying me. They will feel my rath! But those words still mocked me.

"HaD yOu ReLeAsEd tHe CoNsTrIcTaI, tHe VeNoMaRi, Or HeAvEn FoRbId ThE aNaCoNdRaI, tHeN wE wOuLd HaVe HaD a TuSsEl...Pfft!" I lift my eyes of the map to see where I am. I had to be right by the Hnacondrai tomb-- "I found it! Let's go, (name)!" I ran up the sand dune, not even noticing the lazy eye roll from her.

I dust away some of the sand with excitement in my eyes, "the Anacondrai..the most feared and powerful Serpentine of them all. And if they're afraid of the Anacondrai, then the Anacondrai is what they're gonna get!" I reach my hand to open the seal, but (name) steps in front of me.

"Huh?? What gives, (name)? Get out of the way!"

"Is this really what you want, Lloyd?" she tilts her head in worry. "You never know, these guys can betray you just as quickly, like the others."

This began irritated me. She practically said the same thing when we were at the Fangpyre's. I thought she was on my side, when did she become such a killjoy. "I don't know what's up with you, but it's getting annoying. You keep getting in the way of my evil destiny, and for what? I don't care! You're just my bodyguard; a henchman- woman? Whatever! So get OUT of my way and mind your own business!"

After that, I shoved her aside and open the tomb doors. It looked dark in there. I pulled out a flashlight and stepped inside, (name) following close by. There wasn't much I could see except serpentine skeletons scattered around the place. It didn't look like there were any survivors. I soon felt a looming presence and when I turned around, I was pushed away by (name) as she pulled out her axe and nearly decapitated the serpentine.

"(NAME) STOP!" She does as I commanded and the tension cools down, but it was still there.

"My sincerest apologies, children." He says, picking up my dropped flashlight. "Due to my unfortunate appearance, I tent to have an unsettling effect on people...oh, I believe to dropped this. There you are." He gives back my flashlight and I hesitantly thank him.

"Uh, what happened to the others?"

"Poor, unfortunate soulss. (I know what's coming -_-) All those years, locked away with nothing to eat. Must have slowly starved away until they were just scales and bonesss...And who might you be, my little appetize-- I mean, friendss?"

"Lloyd Garmadon. Son of Lord Garmadon and future dark ruler!" I answered with my evil laugh.

"Oh, how deliciously evil! If I had feet, ooh, I'd be trembling in my boots."

"And, uh, who are you?" I asked the serpentine. It's only fair I know his name, after all.

"Humbly, I am Pythor P. Chumsworth," he bows. "And since you've freed me, I am eternally at your service."

"Really?? You're not going to trick me?"

Pythor chuckles a bit,"oh, why would I trick you? I hardly have any friends."

"Whoa! I hardly have any friends too!"

"Is that true? What about your little spit-fire over there?" He points at (name). For some reason, she was just glaring daggers at Pythor.

I just rolled my eyes. "She not my friend, just a bodyguard I hired..no pay, at that~" I whisper the last part to him.

"Spoken like a true, evil master!" He applauded. Wow, this guy really gets me.

"Say, how would you like to be my loyal henchman?" I offered him,"I've been betrayed by the Fangpyre and the Hypnobrai, and I'm looking to get a little revenge on some ninja too."

"Ooh, I love revenge! You know, Floyd--"

"It's Lloyd."

"Whatever. I have a feeling this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

- Cole -

The boys and I were still on the deck training our butts off. We just kept on trying to crack the stupid riddle.

"Does anyone have a clue to Sensei's riddle?" I asked to whomever would answer.

"It can't be that hard." Jay pondered while doing his flips. Sure like those head rushes are gonna be any help.

"Zane, you're smart. What is it?" Asked Kai.

"I do not know," he admitted,"but I sense that sensei is going to keep us here if we don't work together and find an answer."

"That bothers me. Because while we're here working, the enemy is playing!" I grunt, slamming the stick onto the deck floor.

"Hmm, a best way to defeat an enemy....a friend is better than an enemy...could that be it??"

"Zane, what are you on about now?"

"In my second dream, the woman said 'a friend is better than an enemy'. So maybe, we make the enemy..our friend."

". . . HAHAHA HAHA!" The three of us collectively laughed.

"Zane, I know you're more soft than the rest of us, but that can't possibly be it!" Said Kai.

He sighs,"it was just a suggestion..."

- You -

Now that Lloyd and Pythor have become pals, it was only a matter of seconds they began to disturb the peace. In Jamanikai Village- we returned to- the two shared a scooter, knocking over all of the trash bins with it. Then, they removed a "No walking on grass" sign and rolled around in it instead. It was pretty petty. After that, they raided an ice-cream cart and ruined two boys' water boats, leaving them to cry. And finally, they did the classic thing of stealing-candy-from-babies. As if they didn't have enough candy in their full cart, already.

We make our way back to the Anacondrai tomb, where they filled their bodies with sugar and soon to be stomach ache. Me? I just sat a few feet away from them, keeping a watchful eye. Especially on Pythor.

"Wow. You're the best henchman a mastermind could ever have!" Lloyd smiled at the snake.

"Oh, Lloyd. You're the best mastermind a henchman could ever have...hm, why is it that you don't have any friends? And why not have your bodyguard as a friend either?"

"Well, I could've had friends at my Boarding School for Bad Boys, but I decided to run away and never let them see me again. And (Name)? She maybe a skilled bodyguard, but she's also a goody-two-shoes. Keeps getting in the way from doing my evil work.."

"Hmm, that so?" He says, giving me a sly grin. "But, why would you run away from making friends? Everybody needs friends, even tyrants."

"Uhm, maybe I didn't run away.. Maybe I, uh-- I got kicked out."

"From the Boarding School for Bad Boys?! I don't believe it!" Pythor gasped,"I hear they are the breeding ground for the truly despicable! If you ask me, ho-ho, you are a handful."

"Well, thank you, Pythor. But they told me I wasn't bad enough. They said I lacked the amoral ambition to be one of tomorrow's masterminds."

"Well, you'll show them."

"Yeah! I will show them!"

"Then why don't we?"

"Uh..why don't we what??" Oh my gods, this boy. *facepalms*

"Let get revenge on the very school that rejected you." He plots, picking Lloyd up from the ground. I, immediately grabbing the handle on my axe. "And when the ninja come to the rescue, we'll have a trap laid out for them."

Lloyd's eyes lit up with opportunity. "A double revenge?"

"A double revenge," Pythor assures. "Get some rest. Hijacking an ice-cream cart is a lot for anyone, and if you're going to rule the world, well, ho-ho-ho, you'll need to get your sleep. Oh, and one more thing.."

"Yes??"

"I'll be your friend."

Lloyd yawns as he gives Pythor a big hug, telling him he's the best. I could feel my blood start to boil. He has no idea that this snake is spewing out bull-crap. He placed him back down and Lloyd get comfortable for his sleep. The map was poking out and Pythor goes to grab it, but I'm get there quickly and use my axe to scare his hand away. Lloyd turns over and he growls, missing his chance.

"Forgot me already, Pythor?"

"Hmm, I wish you didn't remind me." He slithered back.

"I know you're lying to Lloyd. Do you really think you're that charismatic?"

"I fooled him, didn't I~?

"I wouldn't count on it. He'll find out sooner or later, then again, I could always tell him myself."

"And who do you think he's going to believe? The goody-goody, or his only, evil friend?"

That got me to shut up. I couldn't say anything back because I knew he was right. Despite that I sat close to Lloyd, making sure Pythor doesn't try anything. This is going to be a long night..

The following morning, Lloyd was well rest and so was Pythor. I, however, was a sleepless zombie and Pythor knew it. That bastard. Lloyd lead the way back to Darkly's and had me capture the kids and the substitute teachers, while he and that snake set up the traps for the ninja.

"Nothing personal, guys. Just following orders." I said to the little boys as I tightened the knot.

"But, you're a girl!" One of them said. "Girls don't know how to fight! That's what boys do--"

"Watch it, man." I warned, grabbing his shirt. "I may be a 'girl', but know that if I can tie you and your teachers up, then other girls are more than capable of doing this too. Got it?"

He nods his head furiously, probably made him pee his pants. I smiled under my mask and make my way up to the top floor, where Lloyd and his "friend" are. But before I make it to the first flight of stairs, there were four crashes leading down here. Must be the ninja.

I see the group of boys I had just tied up running out of the classroom, so even skeleton teachers. Soon enough I hear the words "Ninja Go!" I saw Kai and Zane spinning out of the classroom too. I guess the other two took a different route up.

"(Name)? What are you doing here??" Kai asked confused. "Shouldn't you be with Lloyd?"

I crossed my arms with a "hmph" as I leaned against the wall.

"Something must've happen between her and Lloyd," Zane assumed.

"Whatever happened, just come with us, kid." Kai said, offering his hand. Oh yeah, I forget I'm a kid again..

Letting out a sigh, I take his hand and shook it. Gives my the chance to beat that snake's tail, anyway. We pulled out our spinjitzu and make a faster trip up the stairs. The guys kick open one of the doors, only to have a goo substance cover them, making the two immobilized. Pythor laughed at their expense as he left the room. Nice one. 900 IQ move there, fellas.

I just shook my head, "you've got to be kidding me. Give me those for a sec, would ya-" I said, taking Zane's shurikens. Focusing my energy, I stabbed into the goo, turning it to ice, and took Kai's sword to melt it off them. "Okay, let's go!"

- Kai -

Zane and I stare and the young girl dumbfounded. I gave Zane a look and I think he knew what I was thinking. Could the Green Ninja..be a she??

We followed her to the top floor, meeting with Cole on the way up. Jay was already there and it appeared to be that the serpentine had taken the map and ditched Lloyd entirely. He disappeared and was no where to be found.

The Bounty lowers itself to the roof, with Nya and sensei waiting for us. And let's just say, sensei couldn't look more upset. "Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon, you come here right now!"

Jay picks the kid up over his shoulder as he tried to wiggle his way free. "Hey! Let me go! (Name), stop them!"

"Lloyd," the girl pulled down her mask, "even if I did try to stop them, I'm out matched. Its best to let it go." She says getting on the bounty, but us ninja knew that that was a total lie. She would've beat our asses.

"What should we do with him?" We turn our attention to the trouble maker.

"Wash his mouth out with soap for a year?"

"Ground his indefinitely?"

"Have him sit in the corner for a century?"

"I know exactly what we must do..--"

We were excited to see what sensei would do to Lloyd, but it wasn't what we had hoped. By nightfall, not a single thing had happened to the little twerp! Instead, he was all tucked into bed as Sensei Wu read him a children's book! As he leaves the room, we all go to confront him.

"I don't get it, sensei. Why isn't the brat getting punished?"

"Yeah, we had to train all day and he gets read a bedtime story? It's not fair."

"Ah, that's right." He recalled, "I nearly forgot. Why aren't you still training? Did you find the answer to my riddle?"

At this point, we were stumped. "No, sensei. We still don't know what the best way to defeat your enemy is.."

"Really?" (Name)'s voice spoke up, grabbing our attention. "The answer is: making them your friend."

"Oohhh."

"So, Zane was right all along." Figures.

- You -

I giggled at the the four men. I even gave them the answer through Zane. Sheesh. As I felt the cool breeze brush against my skin, I lean my body on the ledge of the Bounty. Wow, the nostalgia.

"I had wondered when I'd see you again." Said an all too familiar voice.

"I could say the same for you, Wu." I smiled at my literal, old friend. "I take that you got my message from Zane?"

"Mm." He nodded. "It was nice when you took the moment to visit the monastery. Can't say the same about the fire."

"Right, 'felt awful to see it all burned down by the serpentine...those assholes!" I curse through my gritted teeth. "But, a home is what you make of it. And this is a lovely one." I refer to the Bounty.

Wu chuckles, "it's good to have you back, (name).."

"Glad to be back, Wu.....still got that old Yasmine Tea?"

"You bet, I do!"