"I don't like this," Kai says

The ninja, Wu, and Misako turn to look at him as they walked through the halls of the royal palace.

"I mean, this is the lady that cast away her daughter cause she was afraid of her destroying the world," Kai explains "we've taken care of Aria all these years and we're now about to meet her. I mean, a thanks was in order a long time ago."

"I do not think that's what we're here for Kai," Zane tells him

Kai crosses his arms.

"Though," Zane continues "I understand your feelings, I dislike her as well. However, Aria is our sister and she has decided to rekindle the bond with her mother, our Empress. We must be on our best behavior."

"Zane's right Kai," Jay agrees "we can hate what she's done, but we can give her a chance."

"Like Sensei always says," Cole adds "We cannot change the past, but we can improve for the future."

"Ah, well said," Wu says

"Right," Lloyd agrees "Besides I've been around Empress Layla lately. She seems to be trying, but it's hard to change her entire mindset in just a few months."

Kai sighs "Fine."

"You all must remember," Misako speaks up "once upon a time she was my friend, no matter how she has changed."

The ninja arrived at the doors of the main hall where Reika and Hanabusa stood waiting for them. Reika waves to them before going back to standing up straight when Hanabusa gives her a look.

"This is the first time we've seen you in uniform sis," Nya comments "How come your uniforms are different than the royal guards?"

"Our uniforms were chosen by her highness the crown princess," Hanabusa replies "It's to show that we are her knights."

"Yeah, they're white to stand out among the other guards." Reika smiles "To show we are special."

"Special in the head maybe," Lloyd mutters "complete psychos."

"We heard that," Hanabusa comments as he goes to open the big doors "thank you."

"The ninja are here!" Reika accounces

The ninja walk into the great hall to see Layla sitting on the throne with her head rested on her fist. The royal guards stood around the room as Hanabusa and Reika entered behind the ninja, closing the door, before walking with them to stand in front of the Empress.

"Greetings your majesty," Lloyd speaks up "I have brought all the ninja here as you requested."

"Thank you Lloyd," Layla says as she lifts her head

"Where's Aria?" Lloyd asks

"She was getting fitted for her wedding dress," Layla replies "She should be here shortly. I will summon you and the ninja another time to be fitted for your tux's."

"Yes, thank you." Lloyd smiles

Kaname soon opens the door and bows "Princess Aria."

"Sorry that took so long mother," Aria smiles as she walks up and stands beside her mother, Aria looks at the ninja with a smile "welcome to the palace guys."

"Yeah, so what's the deal?" Kai asks "Why are we here?"

"The royal family has been invited to Shintaro for Princess Vanya's birthday party," Layla tells them "and they have requested we bring the ninja as well."

Aria holds up a letter, Hanabusa takes the letter and hands it to the ninja.

"Woah" Kai stares at it "this is incredible!"

"Are you sure this isn't a mistake?" Nya asks

Jay gasps "It's real! It's gotta be! It's addressed to us too, look!"

"It is highly unusual" Zane says

"Ooh, we gotta get ready!" Jay shouts excited

"Shintaro?" Lloyd questions "as in Shintaro the Ivory City?

"As in the remote and exclusive mountain kingdom of Northern Ninjago" P.I.X.A.L explains

"Invitations to Shintaro are exceedingly rare" Zane adds "In recorded history, there have only been a handful of outsiders allowed into the Ivory City"

"I've heard it's incredible! It's the most beautiful city in the world. And the people have wings. Haha! You can't beat wings." Jay says

"What's it say?" Lloyd asks "The invitation"

"Ahem" Jay clears his throat and reads "King Vangelis of the Northern Kingdom of Shintaro of the Sky Folk, kindly requests your presence" he smiles "of course he does" the ninja shake their heads "as honored guests, oh that makes sense, to celebrate the birthday of the princess, Vania."

"Little is known about Shintaro. Up until recently, it was still considered a mythical place" Zane says

"Well, it looks like we're gonna see it. In person!" Jay shouts

The ninja cheer.

"Master Wu, this is just what you need. This will get you out of your funk!" Lloyd says excited

"I am not in a "funk". And I'm not going. I'll stay here with Misako and P.I.X.A.L.. I can assist her in the Hangar Bay" Wu declines

"But how often does a chance to visit a legendary fabled kingdom come your way?" Lloyd questions

"I've visited my share of legendary fabled kingdoms. Once you've seen one, you've seen them all. You go. Enjoy yourselves. You don't need me tagging along." Wu replies

"Now, you listen to me, Wu. I've had about enough of this moping around. You are going with the ninja!" Misako shouts

"I can't go charging off to far-flung places! Adventures and legendary kingdoms are for the young. You of all people should understand that" Wu argues

Misako glares angrily at Wu "Why should I understand?"

"Uh" Wu realizes his error "w-what I meant to say was, uh, um -"

"You listen to me, Wu. You are going on this journey, and you are going to like it! Is that understood?" Misako demands

Wu looks around "But-but I - the chicken need -"

"Understood!?" Misako shouts and Wu nods, she turns to Lloyd "He's in"

"Yes! This is gonna be just what we need!" Lloyd cheers

"I hate to interrupt," Aria speaks up

The ninja turn to look at her.

"You will be attending," Aria smiles "but so will the royal family."

"Oh- yeah," Jay laughs "And uh, who exactly?"

"Myself, Crown Princess Aria, and Prince Zero." Layla responds

"What?!" Kai freaks out "We have to guard all three of you?!"

"My son, prince Zero,  is a trained swordsman. For the most part he will hold his own." Layla says "Myself and the crown princess will be your priority."

"You all can handle it right?" Kaname asks "The guards will not be accompanying you. Too many people will risk danger."

"Right," Aria agrees "We can also come off more hostile then we want. It is a formal visit for both kingdoms, we want this to go well."

"Of course," Lloyd says "We will guard the royal family with our lives. You have our word."

"Thank you," Kaname nods

"And you listen here tater tot," Reika walks up and crosses her arms "If anything should happen to my wife, you'll answer to me personally!"

"Yeah yeah," Lloyd says annoyedly "like I would want anything happening to my future wife."

Layla sighs as Aria holds in a laugh.

-

The Bounty sails between mountains.

"Though, my optic circuits are inputting full visual data, somehow the zeroes and ones of my code cannot convey the grandeur of this moment" Zane speaks

"Yeah. It's like - like - totally super cool!" Jay agrees excitedly

"That really captured the moment beautifully, Jay" Nya pats his shoulder "Thanks"

"It really is beautiful, isn't it" Lloyd smiles and turns to Wu who sighs "Master Wu?"

"Yeah, beats doing chores back at the monastery, that's for sure" Cole says

"Being a princess has it's perks," Aria comments

Zero walked out of the bridge onto the deck where Aria and the ninja were.

"Mother wants to know how close we are," Zero says as he walks up to Aria

"It's not too far now," Aria replies "We should be there shortly."

Suddenly, something screeches.

"What-what was that?" Jay looks around

"There is something you should know. Early accounts of the mythical city of Shintaro claimed that the mountains surrounding it were home to a vicious species of bat, called the Dire Bat." Zane recites

"Dire Bat?" Cole questions

"There is much debate among historians as to whether Dire Bats are real or fiction" Zane adds

"Oh it's real alright," Zero unsheathed his sword "I fought a couple back in the day."

"Oh scary," Aria says with fake concern

"Haha, that's gotta be made up Aria, your brother is a liar." Jay laughs

"Don't call your prince a liar!" Zero growls

Suddenly, a Dire Bat swoops and grabs Jay off the Bounty "Huh? Aah! Not made up! Not made up! Not made up! Aah!"

"Hahahaha" Aria laughs

"Jay!" Nya shouts

A Dire Bat knocks her over and lands in front of her, but Lloyd kicks it away. More Dire Bats land on the sails and start to destroy them.

"Uh! They're trying to take us down!" Kai shoots fire at them "Shoo! Shoo, bats!"

"Kai no!" Aria grabs his arm "You'll set the ship on fire!"

A Dire Bat swoops down for them and Zero swings his sword at it. The Dire Bat shrieked and flew up.

"I'm coming for you, buddy!" Cole leaps onto a Dire Bat to get Jay

In the sky Jay is screaming "Wait! Hold on! Can-can we be friends? Aah!"

The bat drops Jay and Cole catches him.

"You - owe me!" Cole's bat throws them both off, and they scream

Kai throws them a rope "Jay, Cole! Grab the line!"

They grab onto the rope and swing back onto the deck, shocked but relieved.

"What do we do? How do we stop them?" Nya asks frantically

"Use your Elemental Powers!" Wu instructs

"Master Wu!" Lloyd points behind him

Zane tackles Wu just before a bat attacks him. The ship starts to tilt, Zero grabs onto Aria and holds onto the railing.

"Nya!" Jay grabs her

"Hang on!" Cole shouts

Suddenly, all the bats retreat.

"Brace for impact!" Lloyd shouts

Zero holds Aria closer to him as the Bounty nearly crashes into a mountain, then stops and is slowly lifted.

"How?" Nya looks around confused

Kai looks over "Uh, guys? You're not gonna believe this"

A bunch of winged people were carrying the Bounty. The ninja all stand up and a winged man lands on the ship.

"Greetings, honored guests! I am Hailmar. Right hand of King Vangelis. I welcome you to the Kingdom of Shintaro" the man bows

"You just saved our lives" Lloyd says

"It was the least we could do, the Dire Bats are a plague." Hailmar responds "They are one of the many reasons we discourage visitors, for their own safety."

"No kidding" Cole comments

"Empress Layla." Hailmar bows before Aria "My humble apologies for the danger, we should've been more alert."

"Thank you, but I'm not Empress Layla," Aria smiles to him "I am the Crown Princess, Aria. My mother the Empress is inside."

"My apologies your highness," Hailmar says "let us put our woes behind us and welcome you to the Ivory City of Shintaro!"

They approach a beautiful castle city in the sky.

"Wow" Cole says in awe "You don't see that every day."

"Indeed," Layla responds as she exits the Bounty

"Are you unharmed mother?" Zero asks

"I am indeed," Layla nods "It appears we are here."

"We are," Aria says as she stares at the city

"Something wrong?" Cole asks her, seeing her distant look.

"Something feels weirdly familiar about this place," Aria tells him "I don't know."

"Same here," Cole nods "I don't know what it is either."

Aria sighs "Well.. Welcome to Shintaro."