{Location: The Jade palace}(Seliel's POV)

I fold my arms. Waiting on the rest of the team. Skylor and Pixal are wrapping up some mechanical scam down on the docks, Nya's undercover near the rice farms, Katara and Kit are cleaning up the Bounty, Sensei and Morro are arguing with a handful of palace guards about letting us in.

I lean up against the wall, tapping my foot.

"Hmm," the wall behind me thuds. "Where is that trapdoor?"

I get up, pulling on my helmet. Trying to look cool as a girl in a green hood crawls out with a bag.

She pulls the trapdoor closed, kneeling in front of me, "Oh, I didn't know anyone was here."

"Maybe next time you should knock," I smirk, offering my hand to help her up, "I'm the Phantom Ninja."

The hooded girl takes my hand, "I'm Harumi." She shows me her bag, bread, and empty water bottles, "I live in the palace but sometimes I sneak food out to the less fortunate."

"You work here?"

"In a way." She glances at the gate, "Shoot, the guards never let me thought."

"Are you scared of heights?" I press some buttons, popping out my metal wings on my jetpack.

Harumi shakes her head, "No, why-"

"Hold tight and stay quite." I grab her around the waist, hovering until I find an open balcony door. Only problem is it's the princess's room, "You know your way around right?"

"Yes." She carefully stands on the railing, "Thank you for your help."

"No problem. Just stay out of sight of the princess. I don't want you getting in trouble." I smile. Next to no one knows that the royal family looks like, more concerned with keeping themselves a secret than being celebrities.

Harumi nods, closing the doors, "I don't think she'll see us. Goodbye."

I fly back to my spot just as the outside doors open. Skylor, Nya, and Pixal walk in as Katara and Kit fly in. I make sure my helmet is more secure, "What took ya so long?"

Nya folds her arms, "Disrupting illegal drug trafficking is harder than you think. Where are Sensei and Morro?"

The trumpets sound, a guy with green and gold robes with a shiny war helmet on approaches us. He's even got an eyepatch. What's with eyepatches lately? He bows back at us after we show him respect, "Your Sensei and friend are already inside. Working out security details with our staff. My name is Hutchins. High royal guard of the Emperor, Empress and the princess. It is our honor to have you all here. Follow me."

Pixal leads the way as guards close the doors behind us, "Morro gave us an understanding about the robbery last night. He also did say that a man would explain what an Oni mask is. Would that be you?"

"I am." He leads us thought golden halls with expensive vases everywhere, "But first, we asked your leader for extra security for the emperor's speech later today. He said yes. I just wanted to let you know."

Nya huff, "We'd love to help. As a heads up, Morro's not our leader."

"I'm aware. I asked Sensei Wu."

"Oh." Nya pipes down, embarrassed blush rushing into her cheeks.

Hutchins leads us through a library, "Now to the oni masks." He talks slowly after looking around like someone is spying, "They are powerful relics from a realm we don't know about. There are only 3, one found by Cyrus in the northern tundra, one here at the palace but the third, no one knows where that one is. However, with the sons of garmadon clearly having one, we suspect that they will come after this one soon."

Skylor adjusts her crossbow on her back, "Which is why we're here."

"Exactly," he exits the library, down another long hallway filled with too much gold, "You are allowed to stay here but may not interact with the royal family without their approval. Each of you will have your own rooms and access to anything you may need for your stay."

He keeps talking as I and Pixal start scanning the room.

Kit skips into a vase, catching before it crashes. She chuckles before walking normally with Katara.

"A few more things," Hutchins stops to point at a glass display case, "The oni mask of deception."

The yellow-orange mask sends shivers down my spine. Like it knows the best trick to play on me.

Skylor pulls her mask off as she gets a closer look, "A face only a mother could love."

"Agreed," he nods as the others take off their masks, "Second, the princess has requested that the child among you be present on stage when the speech is given. An attempt to draw sympathy from the country."

"YAY!" Kit claps her hands, "I'm going to be on tv."

Nya smiles, "You're on tv a lot already."

"Yeah but now I'll be standing next to a princess."

Hutchins lets a smile crack his stony face, "Come, you have to match the rest of the royal family. An outfit and makeup team are waiting for you down the hall."

"Yes." She zips away.

Katara makes a face as I step closer to the mask. Something in me wants to see it smashed on the ground. Breck it out of existence. Katara folds her arms, "This thing has a lot of dark magic coming out of it."

"Yes. We've noticed as well. Luckily, there was an expert we called to help tame the darkness." He looks at his watch. "She is a talented master of magic."

Nya snickers, "Wouldn't it be ironic if S-"

There's a bright yellow flash, Sam with a big golden book in her hands appears, "Ta-da, it is I, the evil mask doctor!"

"Sam was that person." Nya shrugs, "Hey. Feels like I just saw you yesterday."

"Hi again," Sam smiles before directing her attention to the mask, "Yikes. This thing is dark. And doesn't like you looking at it." She carefully pulls up her eyepatch, squinting out of her bad eye. Following some kind of trail until she looks at me, "It REALLY doesn't like you."

I roll my arms, "The feeling's mutual. Let's just set up for the emperor's speech." I walk out first. Not before getting lost, "Um...where's the-"

"Your friend and Sensei are in the war room. Down the hall, first on the right."

"Thanks." I head down that way as Skylor and Sam giggle and snicker. Secretly, I hope the sons of garmadon take that thing so I won't have to look at it.

[Hours later]

I tap the side of my helmet, I stand on the roof, close to the royal family. Nya and Skylor are on the opposite side of the courtyard, scanning for danger. Pixal and Katara are working the perimeter. Morro's in the crowd, wearing a grey t-shirt, jeans and a black beanie to cover his long hair. I glance to the family, Kit looks over the moon as she stands in front of the princess, Sensei stands next to her in case of an underground attack.

Morro briefly catches my eye, tapping his earpiece, "How are we looking?"

"Awesome. But not like we're trying too hard. I mean we're trying but it's almost effortless." I smirk as he rolls his eyes, "No sign of danger."

Nya snickers on her end, "I think you've got an admirer, windy. Check out the princess."

Morro shrugs as Skylor settles into a sniper position on the tower, "Like she'd notice me. How are we looking from the sky?"

Katara hums as clouds are peppered with holes, "I've got my eye on this guy. Hair peeking out under his hat, grey shirt. Really handsome."

Pixal rolls her eyes, "Can we focus please?"

I look around, watching a blue balloon slowly rise up. It spins, showing the sons of garmadon calling card. "I see something suspicious. Skylor, can you see the-"

BAnG!

I jump, taking the princess and her family down as Sensei and Kit look for danger. Sensei cups his hands, "Where's the gunman?"

BAnG! BAnG!

Morro pushes his way through before sighing, "No gun," he holds up smoky used fireworks, "Just fireworks."

"My apologies," I mentally kick myself as I get off the princess.

The emperor straightens out his robe, "Don't be. This is why you are here. But to be safe, we should get inside."

I bow a little, "I will be in shortly."

"On the contrary," the empress holds her hands like she's about to pray, "If you do not mind, could you and your Sensei accompany us."

Sensei nods, "It would be our honor." He pushes Kit forwards, walking slightly behind the emperor.

I stay close to the back, staying aware of the danger, "We're escorting the family in now. Come inside, the guards can control the crowd." I stay close to the princess as she gets close to her father. Her right hand has some kind of silverpoint that I squint at before she hides her hands in her sleeves.

The royal family sits in their thrones as the team forms a line.

Kit skips next to me, "Did you see me? That was cool." She smiles brightly. Ever since Sam did her magic thing on Kit, Kit doesn't seem to remember anything about her Black Rose visit. She's back, smiling and happy. Kit can barely keep her jitters down as the royal family have a shush and quiet discussion with Huctiones, "I look so pretty."

I pat her head, "You did well. Did you see anyone in the crowd?"

"No," she shakes her head as Morro, back in his uniform lines up next to me.

The rest of the team forms a straight line, with Nya the furthest from me, then Skylor, Pixal, Sensei, Kit, myself, Katara, and Morro.

The princess smiles, "The emperor and empress have chosen to stay quiet so I will make the introductions. My adopted father, Emperor Akihito, my adopted mother, Empress Liona." She touches her chest, coming closer to us, "I am princess Harumi." Harumi as in the girl who I help get into the palace. She's the princess? Guess I broke Hutchins' only rule. The princess stands closets to us, "We can not thank you enough for your help. We feel honored by your presence. Please, take off your masks."

My team takes off their masks, even Pixal pulls off her helmet. I'm more hesitant. That last time...No. I have a right to privacy. I keep my helmet on.

Harumi smiles, "I know all of you, hearing about your and the other half of your team's heroics." Harumi points to Nya, "Nya. The girl."

Nya hates that title.

The girl ninja.

Nya makes a sour face but holds her tongue.

Harumi doesn't seem to notice, "The girl I've looked up to all my life. The Master of Water whose power and technique could rival any other."

Nya smile as Harumi walks down.

"Skylor, Master of amber, powerful, skilled in all the elements and a crossbow. Daughter of a madman but a strong survivor in a dangerous place. I am awed by the bravery you must have had when your father was here."

Skylor smiles, trying to not let blush on her cheeks.

"Pixal," Harumi gestures to her, "The brilliant android, oops, I mean Nindroid of the team. Clever as a fox but humble enough to take the role of Samurai X."

Pixal barely hold down a smile but makes a small bow.

"Sensei Wu," Harumi holds her hands out like she's happy around this one. She bows low, "The second son of the first spinjitzu master, creator of the ninja team, guiding them through their hardships. It is an honor to meet you at long last."

Sensei bows.

Harumi smiles when approaching Kit, "Katherine Paulen Mae. Seer of destiny's wishes, holder of the sword of sanctuary. Potential master of time. A joyful and an energetic child."

Kit smiles wide, trying to be still like the others barely holding the joy of being complemented by royally.

Harumi approaches me, "Seliel Amara Quartzstone-"

I tug at my helmet, I haven't taken it off once. "Your Highness, how do you-"

"Do not worry. Your friend Angel Jones trusted me with your secret. You can show your face here." She smiles so kindly. I pull off my helmet as she continues on, "Once protector of Crystal pass, now a warrior defending the known world. You are an inspiration, a story that anyone can be a hero while having no gifts."

I bow, more honored then mad at AJ for telling.

Harumi stiffens up at the sight of Katara, "Katara, the twin sister of the white rose. Smart, fiery, not one to be crossed."

Katara bows, not as low. Probably a little ticked that she didn't get a longer complement.

"And Morro," Harumi's smile grows wide as she opens up her arms, "The powerful, master of wind. The first student of Sensei Wu. Once a villain for the Preeminent cause, now a heroic ninja of grey." She hums as her hand reach out to touch him but stops. Like she can barely help herself around him. Wait, does she like him in a way? Harumi stands closer to him than any of us, "I have a request from the royal family and myself personally."

Morro bows his head, "Your majesty, it would be my honor to fulfill your request."

Harumi wiggles her fingers into his, ignoring Katara's glaring look. Harumi bites her lower lips, "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, we would like for you to be my personal protector until the threat of the sons of garmadon is dealt with." She snaps her hand away like she just realized that her parents are watching, "Do you... accept?"

Morro glances at Katara. Standing tall before nodding, "I do. I will protect you with my life."

My eyes flicker down. Katara holds her hands behind her back, both on fire before she grabs her daggers. Pushing the flames on them instead of the wall.

Safe to say she's a little jealous.