Time ticks on

Escaping the clock

Whom in its old age

Dared to stop

Here lies the Time Master. A strange inscription- for a tombstone. How much stranger to see it written on a clock.

But he saw it nevertheless, and smiled, a slow, savory sort of smile. How appropriate.

Here lay the Time Master. He lies there no longer.

Beware, Ninjago. Your hours of peace have ended. I have returned. And that blundering old man who called himself a Spinjitzu Master will pay for what he did to me.

He smiled again, snapped his fingers once, and disappeared.

He reappeared outside Ninjago city, still smiling. He was the Time Master! His power over time was limitless, and he would have his revenge.

He snapped his fingers as he strode down the street, drawing many a curious stare from passersby as he did. Each and every one of the clocks turned forward three hours. Within moments, chaos reigned. The citizens scrambled to find their lost time, and the Time Master strode on, feeding of the chaos, the feeling of helplessness. No one could stop him. No one could even touch him!

He passed the police station, where a certain young detective happened to be having his coffee break.

***

Ted Carson had been called in to attend to another case, but as he glanced up from his mug of coffee he noticed the hooded figure striding casually down the street.

"Where are you going?" his assistant Carrie, who also happened to be his daughter, asked.

"Out," he said. "Stay here. There's a suspicious character outside, and I don't like the looks of him. He could be trouble."

Carrie made a face. "Oh Dad, you never let me help with anything dangerous!" she complained.

Ted put down his mug. "Young lady, you are nineteen years old and far too young to be intentionally involved in potentially dangerous situations. Wait here." He strode out the door, one hand on his gun.

Carrie sighed and slumped back in the chair.

"He went out again?"

Carrie instantly recognized the voice of Linda Parks, the secretary.

"Without me. He never lets me do anything."

"He just wants to protect you," Linda replied.

"I just wish he'd let me get in on the action sometimes," Carrie grumbled.

"Be careful what you wish for," Linda warned. "Because sometimes you actually get it."

"Believe me, I'd give anything to go out on one of the cases. Helping sort through the evidence is fun, but still. I wish I could get in on the action sometimes."

Linda sipped her coffee and frowned thoughtfully.

***

"Hey, you!" Ted shouted, and the stranger turned around. "What kind of a getup is that to go shopping in?"

The stranger made a sort of growling sound and kept walking.

Ted tried again. "Where are you going?" he asked.

The man ignored him.

Ted took his hand off his gun and ran to catch up. "Hey, I'm talking to you," he snapped.

The stranger whirled, his hand hidden beneath his cloak as if to touch some weapon. "Mind your own business, and I'll mind mine," he snarled, and turned away again.

"It's my job to mind other peoples' business," Ted said. "And you sir are acting suspicious."

"Nobody likes a busy-body," the man growled. "Now leave, before something bad happens."

They were on an empty street now, and Ted looked around uneasily. If the stranger tried anything funny, no one would be there to call for help if he didn't get the chance. He debated phoning in, but, with the stranger eyeing him, decided against it. A call to the police might cause the situation to escalate, and that was a risk he couldn't afford to take.

"Are you threatening me?" he asked.

The man kept walking in stony silence.

Ted put a hand on his gun and hurried to catch up again. He had just drawn up beside the man, however, when the stranger whirled on him. Faster than what seemed possible the man had a hand on Ted's forehead.

"Danger awaits those who meddle," he said, just before Ted collapsed.