Legacy of Darkness: The Ninjago Rebirth

The morning sun bathed the sky in soft gold, its light reflecting off the billowing clouds that stretched endlessly above the sea. Yet, amidst the tranquil beauty, an ominous shadow cut through the heavens, weaving through the mist like a phantom. It soared high above the Destiny's Bounty, an inky blur against the sunlight, before diving downward with terrifying grace.

For a moment, the figure remained obscured, a silhouette against the clouds. But then, as the creature descended, its true form came into view—a nightmarish dragon, black and purple with streaks of ghostly gray, its body shifting like it had been carved from the abyss itself. Its wings stretched wide, trailing a misty darkness as it glided downward.

With a deafening thud, the dragon landed on the deck of the Bounty, its talons gripping the wooden planks with unsettling ease. The ship trembled under its weight. Alarmed, the ninja—along with Lloyd and Nya—rushed onto the deck, their golden weapons drawn and glowing with power.

But just as quickly as they prepared to strike, their defenses lowered. The dragon's rider was none other than Jinx.

Yet, Jinx paid them little attention. His piercing, dark-purple eyes were locked onto the golden weapons in their hands—not because they were drawn at him, but because of how they glowed. Notably, the glow was strongest around Lloyd.

Jinx smirked, his mind piecing together a realization.

"Hmm… it seems our little friend might just be the Green Savior. Oh, Kai is going to be pissed when he finds out."

With a fluid motion, Jinx leaped from his dragon's back, landing lightly on the deck. He turned and placed a hand on the beast's snout in silent command. The dragon, as if understanding its master's will, dissolved into wisps of black mist, vanishing into nothingness.

Jay, still trying to catch his breath, was the first to break the silence.

"W-What the hell was that? Since when do you have a dragon?!"

Jinx dusted himself off, shrugging. "Sensei Wu showed me how to forge one from my element before he left. Consider it a parting gift."

Cole crossed his arms. "And why didn't he teach us?"

Jinx's smirk deepened. "Because you haven't reached your full potential yet." He glanced at the golden weapons. "Besides, you lot still rely on those just to use your powers."

Kai scowled but didn't argue.

Time passed, and later that day, the ninja found themselves below deck, where Nya stood before a long wooden table, the remains of an ancient Fangpyre skeleton laid out before her. With a practiced motion, she pulled off the cover, revealing the bones beneath.

"These remains were unearthed by some villagers a few miles away," she explained, gesturing to the elongated fangs protruding from the skull. "It predates the Golden Age and is hundreds of years old. The venom in the fangs of the Fangpyre is known to genetically mutate human cells into reptilian ones."

She glanced around, noticing Zane dutifully taking notes while Kai slumped in boredom. Cole, ever the artist, was sketching a picture of himself dramatically battling a snake, while Jay—sporting a newly styled hairdo—was too busy staring at Nya with a dreamy expression.

"But," Nya continued, "I've been researching a possible way to reverse the venom's effects without needing to create an antivenom."

At this, Zane perked up, his pen pausing mid-scribble. Kai, however, barely stifled a yawn.

Nya pressed on. "If someone is able to rapidly and wildly raise their heart rate, hypothetically, it could counteract the venom's effects." Her cheeks turned slightly pink as she spoke. "Resulting in… diminished—uh, excuse me, is someone wearing perfume? I'm severely allergic to perfume."

Jay froze, eyes widening.

Kai smirked, leaning over to whisper, "You told me it was men's cologne."

Jay groaned. "I get them mixed up!"

The room erupted into laughter—except for Zane, who, with a flick of his fingers, switched off his humor module. The moment was cut short when Jinx, with an impassive expression, casually flicked his wrist, sending a gust of wind that blasted Kai straight into the wall.

Cole smirked. "Well, I guess that means class is over. Time to go stomp some Serpentine before they find any Fangblades."

Kai groaned from the floor but pushed himself up. "Sounds like a plan."

Zane nodded, closing his notebook. "I am excited to join."

As the others began filing out, Jay hesitated. He turned to Nya, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Uh, hey, uh… Nya?" he started. "I just wanted to say—about earlier. The reason I… y'know, went to Kai for advice is because…" He sighed. "Look, what I'm trying to say is—"

Nya gave a small smile. "I know. It's just a cruel joke. I'll be fine. Please, go fight snakes."

"No, no, no, no," Jay said quickly, shaking his head. "It wasn't a joke. I was trying to impress you." He cleared his throat. "Before Sensei left, he said our heart was the key to unlocking our True Potential."

Nya blinked. "Impress me?"

Jay scratched his cheek. "Well, yeah… But, I mean, you look so—"

"Fantastic," he finished before she could self-deprecate.

Nya's fingers twitched, brushing against a strand of her hair.

Jay swallowed hard, his voice quieter now. "Look, maybe, if you want, I could take you to some big fancy restaurant. You don't have to say yes if you don't want to."

Nya tilted her head, a small smirk on her lips. "You mean like a date?"

Jay's face flushed. "Uh… yeah?"

Nya chuckled softly. "Sure! I'd love to." Then, abruptly, she turned and walked away. "But I have to go before the perfume toxins enter my bloodstream and I go into shock. See you tonight."

Jay remained frozen for a moment, watching her go. Then, as the realization hit him, his face lit up.

"Yes!" he cheered, pumping his fist in the air.

His excitement, however, was short-lived. As he shifted his stance, his finger brushed against one of the exposed Fangpyre fangs. A sharp prick stung his skin.

"Ow! Aah!" He flinched, shaking his hand. "Man, that hurt."

Jay turned to leave, completely unaware of the single, ominous drop of venom trickling from the skeleton's fangs… and sinking into his bloodstream.

The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Mountain of Madness, carrying with it an eerie chill. Mist coiled like ghostly fingers around the ancient ruins, a place long forgotten by time. The ground was uneven, treacherous, littered with the remnants of past battles. Amidst the gloom, two figures stood facing each other—their destinies forever entwined.

Wu gripped the hilt of his katana, his gaze steady as he regarded the man before him. Garmadon stood tall, clad in dark robes that billowed against the wind, his presence as foreboding as the storm clouds above.

"Hello, brother," Garmadon greeted, his voice rich with amusement. "What took you so long?" His gaze flicked downward, eyes gleaming with recognition. "Ah, the katana from our youth. How nostalgic. Funny—you never had the courage to cross the temple wall back then, yet now you stand here, before me, in the very heart of darkness."

Wu did not rise to the bait. "Why have you come to this place of wickedness?"

A cruel smirk tugged at Garmadon's lips. "A place as wicked as me?" He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the desolate landscape. "Don't you see, Wu? Here, I am home. In Ninjago, I was physically unable to wield all four Spinjitzu Weapons at once. But here…" His voice deepened, a hint of something unnatural beneath the words. "Dark magic has made me stronger. What was once impossible…"

He raised his arms—all four of them—his fingers curling like the talons of a beast.

"…is now a reality."

Wu's expression darkened. "You came all this way just to possess the Spinjitzu Weapons?"

Garmadon's smile vanished. "Yes, brother. And I will not allow you or your petty ninja to stand in my way!"

Without warning, he summoned four weapons into his grasp—each one radiating power, shimmering under the bleak light of the mountain's peak. He lunged, striking with all four at once. Wu barely managed to deflect the first two blows, but the sheer force sent him stumbling backward. A second strike cut through the air, missing his shoulder by a hair's breadth.

Wu's foot slipped, and before he could react, the ground beneath him gave way.

He tumbled into a pit, landing with a sickening squelch. A thick, oozing sludge clung to him, writhing as if alive. And then, the mud shifted. Moved. Rose.

Dark, malformed creatures began to emerge, their hollow eyes gleaming with malice.

Wu struggled, fighting against the weight of the sludge. "Brother! I did not come here to fight you—I came to warn you!"

Garmadon loomed above the pit, watching impassively. "You should have known better than to come here, old fool. You don't belong in this place." He lifted his hand. "Mud monsters—converge."

The creatures let out a guttural growl and lunged.

Wu barely managed to deflect the first set of claws, his katana slicing through the sludge-like beings, but more took their place. The weight was suffocating, dragging him down.

"Garmadon… please," he gasped. "It's Lloyd! Your son—he's in danger!"

Garmadon froze.

For a moment, the wind carried only silence.

Then, with a swift motion, he leapt down, his dark energy cleaving through the monsters with ease. With surprising strength, he grabbed Wu by the arm and yanked him from the pit.

"What has Lloyd gotten himself into?" he demanded, his expression unreadable.

Wu coughed, regaining his breath. "He has opened a can of worms I fear I will never be able to close."

Garmadon's crimson eyes flickered with something unspoken. "You mean we will never be able to close." He straightened, dusting off his robes. "Get up. You can tell me more later. First, we need to return home."

Wu nodded. "Traveler's Tea brought me here… but I used the last of it. There's no way back."

Garmadon's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "There is one way. But to reach it, we must pass through the Mountain of Madness." He turned toward the treacherous path ahead. "It's a long and dangerous road."

Wu sheathed his sword. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Garmadon's eyes narrowed toward the horizon. "Then we should leave—before it really gets dark."

Beneath the neon glow of the Mega Monster Amusement Park, laughter and screams of delight echoed through the air. Families bustled through the attractions, children ran excitedly from ride to ride, and the scent of fried food lingered like a warm embrace.

But beneath this cheerful facade, danger slithered unseen.

A clawed hand emerged from the dirt just outside the park's entrance, followed by another. Slowly, from the depths of the underground, the Serpentine dug their way to the surface.

Skales slithered forward, holding an ancient map. "This is it, Pythor. The first Fangblade." He lifted his gaze to the flashing lights of the park. "Perhaps we should wait until dark—so we don't attract any unwanted attention. Especially from the ninja… or that purple demon."

Pythor, ever the opportunist, let out a hissing chuckle. "Oh, Skales. I have a feeling we'll fit right in."

A child spotted them and let out a shriek before bolting in the opposite direction.

An employee waved after him. "Hey, don't run off!"

Just then, a man approached, smiling. "Excuse me, would you mind if my family took a picture with you?"

Pythor blinked.

A woman beside him beamed. "Your costume is so authentic."

Pythor's eyes flickered toward a nearby sign. A slow grin crept across his face.

"Of course! Welcome to…" He turned dramatically, arms wide. "Mega Monster Amusement Park!"

Skales sighed. "Say cheese."

The family posed, entirely unaware that the creatures standing beside them weren't actors at all.

Back on the Destiny's Bounty, Jay was pacing anxiously.

"Did I ever tell you I was the first one to learn Spinjitzu?" he muttered to himself. "No, wait—that's not good enough. I invented Spinjitzu! Yeah, that's better. And I created a few other moves, like the karate double chop—hi-yah!"

He raised his hand for emphasis… and froze.

Green scales covered his skin.

"No, no, no," Jay whispered, his stomach twisting. He yanked off his glove and stared. The transformation was spreading. His heart pounded. "The Fangpyre fang… Oh no. This isn't happening."

Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile. "It's fine. Just a rash. It'll go away. You got this, Jay. This is your big night."

Pulling on his gloves, he straightened his jacket and stepped onto the bridge.

Cole whistled. "Whoa. Where are you going, Mr. Fancy?"

Jay cleared his throat. "Didn't you hear? I'm taking Nya to a nice restaurant. A really nice restaurant."

Kai glanced at the monitors. "You might wanna change your plans. We just picked up Serpentine activity—at Mega Monster Amusement Park."

Jay turned toward the screen. His stomach dropped.

Pythor.

Zane added, "If he's there, it's not for fun. We believe a Fangblade is buried beneath the park."

Jay swallowed hard. "We can't let them get it. But—my date…"

Kai crossed his arms. "Jay, if they get all four Fangblades, Pythor can unleash the Great Devourer. Get your priorities straight."

Jay clenched his fists. His night had just gotten a lot more complicated.

And he had no idea how much worse it was about to get.

Jay took a deep breath, his mind racing. He had two choices: tell Nya the truth and risk ruining their night, or find a way to merge his date with the mission. He knocked on Nya's door, just as she returned from her latest mission as Samurai X.

"Nya?" he called.

The door slammed shut in his face.

"Don't come in! I'm getting ready!" she called from the other side.

Jay hesitated before clearing his throat. "Uh… I just wanted to talk about our date. You know, I'm hearing really bad reviews about the restaurant, and I was thinking…"

Inside, Nya quickly adjusted her hidden Samurai X helmet, her bracelet flickering to life and projecting a map. The words Serpentine spotted at Mega Monster Amusement Park flashed before her eyes.

Jay continued, choosing his words carefully. "I think maybe we should… cancel."

The door creaked open slightly. "You're canceling?" Nya asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jay laughed nervously. "No! I mean—maybe we should go to the Mega Monster Amusement Park instead."

Nya's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be perfect!" She stepped out, a knowing smirk on her face. "But… aren't you overdressed?"

Jay rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, yeah! That's why I need to change and—"

His sentence was cut short when Nya's foot accidentally kicked her Samurai X helmet from behind the door. It rolled toward him.

Jay's eyes widened. "What was—"

"Nothing!" Nya interrupted, kicking it back behind her with a nervous chuckle. "You know what? I'll dress up too. Looks fun."

Jay eyed her suspiciously but shrugged it off. "Hey, I was thinking—maybe we take my Storm Glider there?"

Nya nodded. "Sounds like fun."

Jay smiled, feeling a little more confident. Just as he turned to leave, a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist, yanking him back.

Jay let out a startled yelp and spun around—only to come face-to-face with Jinx.

His heart nearly stopped.

"Jinx?!"

The mysterious figure stood before him, his dark purple eyes peering through the dim light of the Bounty.

Jinx tilted his head. "You really think it's a good idea to go to a battlefield in your condition?"

Jay swallowed hard. His mind raced. How does he know?

He took a step back instinctively. "How did you find out?"

Jinx crossed his arms. "Please. You didn't think I wouldn't notice how weird you've been acting?" He flicked his gaze down to Jay's hands. "Gloves, nervous energy, the way you yelped in pain earlier. You're clumsy, but the only thing that can really hurt you… is a skeleton."

Jay clenched his fists, his breathing uneven. "I—I can handle this."

Jinx's eyes darkened. "No, you can't. You need to stay behind."

Jay exhaled sharply. "I can't stay behind! If we don't stop Pythor, he'll get the Fangblade. If he gets all four of them, the Great Devourer will be unleashed! I don't have a choice!"

Jinx regarded him carefully. "You do have a choice. You could tell your friends the truth."

Jay turned away, his jaw tightening. "I can't."

Jinx sighed, stepping forward. "If you start changing, if you feel anything off, tell someone."

Jay hesitated, but then nodded. "Fine. But I have to go."

Jinx remained silent for a moment before finally stepping aside.

Jay quickly rushed off, hoping his body would hold out just a little longer.

The cold wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Mountain of Madness as Wu and Garmadon followed the treacherous path. The ground beneath them crunched with each careful step, and eerie whispers echoed through the cavernous cliffs.

Garmadon walked ahead, his four arms flexing instinctively as if testing his newfound strength. He didn't look back when he spoke.

"So, what kind of trouble has Lloyd gotten himself into?" His voice was gruff, but beneath it, there was something else—concern.

Wu sighed, gripping his staff tighter. "I'm afraid to say, the worst kind."

Garmadon finally glanced at him, waiting.

"He's reopened the Serpentine tombs," Wu continued gravely, "and now that they have united, Pythor is trying to find the Four Silver Fangblades to unleash the Great Devourer."

Garmadon stopped walking. The words sank in like a blade to the gut. He clenched his fists, the memory of his own past sins flashing before his crimson eyes.

"The very snake that turned me evil?" His voice was quiet now, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

Wu nodded.

"Yes."

Garmadon turned away, staring into the mist below. The weight of his past, of the curse that had shaped his entire life, felt heavier than ever.

"Why would Lloyd open the tombs?" he asked finally.

Wu hesitated before answering. "To be like you."

Garmadon inhaled sharply. The truth of it stung. He had spent so much time wallowing in darkness, and now his own son was following the same path. But that wasn't what he had wanted.

"I never wanted him to," he muttered.

Wu's expression softened. "Thank you for watching out for him," he said quietly.

Garmadon scoffed, but it lacked his usual bitterness. "You may think of me as your enemy, but I was first your brother," Wu added.

There was a long pause before Garmadon finally spoke.

"What about the purple ninja?"

Wu frowned. "What do you mean, brother?"

Garmadon shot him a knowing look. "You and I both know that Father only ever spoke of one person wielding the power of darkness. And don't think I haven't heard whispers about the last Wind Elemental."

Wu's grip on his staff tightened, his face unreadable.

"For once, brother… I don't know." His voice was careful, guarded. "Lillian never told me—"

But before he could finish, a distant rumble echoed through the mountains, shaking the very path they stood on. The shadows around them thickened, and the road ahead seemed to darken even further.

They would have to move quickly.

The dim glow of candlelight flickered across the table as Jay and Nya sat across from each other in Mega Monster Amusement Park's most extravagant restaurant. The place was decorated in gothic monster themes—glowing jack-o'-lantern chandeliers, clawed chairs, and cobweb motifs draped along the walls. It was meant to be charming, but Jay could barely focus.

He leaned forward, flashing his usual lopsided grin. "Yeah, even when I was young, it was clear I was born and bred for adventure." He puffed his chest out slightly. "I was the first one to get my knot badge in Little Scouts. I was always trying daring foods. I once built these wings from scrap metal and other—uh..." He trailed off, noticing Nya's distant expression.

She was only half-listening, idly twirling a strand of hair between her fingers as she stared at the oversized meal in front of them.

Jay blinked. "You okay? You seem kinda… distant."

Nya snapped out of it. "Huh? Oh, yeah. It's just—" she gestured to the plate, "—the portions are so big. And to think we split our dish."

Jay chuckled. "Heh. Yeah."

A small silence followed before Jay tried again. "So, that Samurai. Oh, man, I hate him, don't you? He's such a showboat, you know? If you ask me, he's nothing without his big, clunky exo-suit."

Nya's fork froze mid-air. "Oh."

Jay didn't notice her shift in tone. He waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, nothing can compare to two good old-fashioned feet and fists, don't you think?"

"Yeah, sure," Nya muttered, clearly uncomfortable.

Jay sighed in relief, but just as he reached for his glass, something caught his eye. His reflection in the silver spoon twisted into something grotesque—his pupils were slitted, and two sharp fangs peeked from his mouth.

His stomach dropped.

No. No, no, no.

Nya furrowed her brows. "You okay?"

Jay shot to his feet. "Excussse me. I have to use the resstroom."

Without waiting for a response, he darted toward the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. He rushed to the sink, gripping the edge with trembling hands.

With a shaky breath, he peeled off his gloves.

His fingers were covered in green scales.

His breathing became erratic. "Oh, gosh. I'm turning into a snake!"

A knock came from outside.

"Hey, man, you done in there?"

Jay whirled around. "I'm busy, dude! Can't you see it's taken?!" His voice came out more sibilant than he'd meant. He covered his mouth in horror.

This is bad.

He turned back to the mirror. His golden skin was slowly being swallowed by green. The prick from the Fangpyre fang—it wasn't just a rash. It was happening.

I can't go out there looking like this! He raked his fingers through his hair, panic rising. This is the worst date ever!

But before he could think of a solution, a hand shot out of the shadows and grabbed him.

Jay yelped, stumbling backward. His fear turned into mild relief when he saw who it was.

Jinx.

The purple-clad ninja leaned against the sink with his arms crossed, dark purple eyes watching Jay with amusement.

"You really think this is a good idea, walking into a battlefield in your condition?"

Jay's heart pounded. "How did you—?"

Jinx smirked. "Come on, Jay, you didn't think I wouldn't notice? You've been acting weird all night. Plus, you're wearing gloves at dinner? That's a dead giveaway. And…" he tapped his ear, "I heard you yelp in pain earlier. Even for you, that was suspicious."

Jay paled. "Okay, okay, so maybe I have a little… situation. But I can fix this! I just—I just need time!"

Jinx gave him a knowing look. "You don't have time, Sparky. The Serpentine are out there, and if Pythor gets his hands on a Fangblade tonight…" He let the sentence hang.

Jay groaned. "Oh, man. This is so bad."

Jinx clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. I've got a plan. But first—" he grinned, "—you're gonna have to trust me."

Jay swallowed. This was shaping up to be one of the worst nights of his life.

And it was only getting started.

The Mega Monster Amusement Park was built to thrill, but tonight, terror took on a new meaning.

A group of visitors sat in a creaking cart, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows along the haunted ride's fake graveyard. Animatronic ghouls groaned, artificial fog curled around the floor, and distant screams from another attraction echoed in the night.

But the man in the front row yawned loudly, arms crossed. "Ha! Lame! This ride is stupid."

His friends chuckled. "I've had scarier nightmares after eating too much cake."

Another gave a dramatic shudder. "Ooooh, so spooky."

The ride jolted forward, turning a corner toward an overgrown section of the park. The man squinted, noticing something odd. Beyond the flickering lanterns, shadows moved.

At first, he assumed it was just part of the attraction—until he saw something digging. A dark figure clawed at the earth, deep in concentration. Its hunched body slithered, tail curling around its feet. The glow of reptilian eyes flashed in the moonlight.

The man burst out laughing. "Heh, look how stupid this guy looks."

Then—hissing.

Before anyone could react, a thick green mist exploded from the ground. The gas swirled through the air, wrapping around the cart, seeping into their lungs.

The effect was immediate.

The man gasped as the world morphed before his eyes. The wooden ride melted into a pit of writhing snakes. His own hands stretched into claws, the faces of his friends twisted into monstrous grins.

His bravado shattered.

"GET ME OFF THIS THING! MOMMY!" he shrieked, thrashing wildly.

Panic spread like wildfire. The other riders screamed, shoving past each other, tumbling out of the cart in blind terror.

Not far from the chaos, Kai, Cole, and Zane were walking through the park, enjoying what should have been a rare moment of peace.

That peace ended abruptly.

A stampede of terrified civilians rushed past them, their screams filling the air.

Kai narrowed his eyes. "Where is everybody?"

Cole tilted his head. "That ride was never scary."

Zane's robotic eyes flickered as his sensors picked up chemical traces. His expression turned grave. "Venomari."

The word alone was enough to send them into action.

Kai unsheathed his sword. "Should we get Jay?"

Cole shook his head. "Let's not bother the lovebirds. I think we can handle this."

They pushed through the dispersing crowd.

"Excuse us, coming through," Kai called, sidestepping a man who was still screaming about imaginary monsters.

Cole waved a dismissive hand. "Nothing to see here, folks."

Zane took a more serious approach. "This is official ninja business."

Their pace quickened. They didn't have time to waste.

Meanwhile, Jay stood in the restroom, gripping the sink as he tried to calm himself.

His reflection stared back at him. Not bad, he thought. Not bad at all. The faint green tint creeping up his jaw wasn't too noticeable. Maybe if he just walked out with confidence—

Then he felt something move.

A strange sensation crawled down his spine. Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head.

His stomach dropped.

A tail.

A long, blue-scaled tail swished behind him.

Jay let out a strangled gasp. "AHH! I HAVE A TAIL!"

His breathing quickened. His mind spiraled.

No, no, it's okay, Jay. Lots of girls like tails... right? Right?

With a deep breath, he straightened his jacket, determined to play it cool.

He stepped out of the bathroom. "Nya—?"

Empty.

His heart sank. She was gone.

Then—

"SNAKE!"

Jay barely had time to register the cry before a mob descended on him.

"No, no! You don't understand—!"

Too late. Fists flew.

Across the park, deep underground, the Serpentine had struck gold.

With a triumphant hiss, the earth crumbled away, revealing an ancient, jagged blade. A powerful glow pulsed from its metal, illuminating the grinning face of Pythor.

His red eyes gleamed. "Ahhh… (laughs) The first Fangblade is ours!"

Just as he lifted it from its resting place, fire erupted in the distance.

A blade, glowing red-hot, illuminated the darkness.

Kai stood with his sword raised, flanked by Cole and Zane.

"Not so fast."

Pythor turned, unimpressed.

Cole smirked. "Really? That's the best you got?"

Kai scowled. "I couldn't think of anything on the fly."

Cole chuckled. "How about 'Time to burn' or 'Jump on this fire ride'?"

Kai scoffed. "Next time, you lead."

Cole crossed his arms. "Next time, I will."

Kai smirked. "Oh yeah? If you can catch up."

Before they could argue further, the battle began.

Swords clashed, ice shot across the battlefield, and the ground trembled beneath them.

Zane stepped forward, eyes glowing with determination. "Watch and learn, brothers."

He unleashed his True Potential.

A blast of ice exploded outward—but instead of hitting the Serpentine, it froze Kai and Cole solid.

Zane blinked. "Oops."

Pythor cackled. "How unfortunate."

Then—a metallic hand shot forward.

Nya's Mech.

With a calculated move, she yanked the Fangblade from Pythor's grasp.

His laughter died instantly.

"Stop him!" he bellowed.

Nya took off—but her thrusters failed.

She crashed to the ground. Before she could recover, the Serpentine tackled her.

Pythor strode forward, gripping her helmet.

"Finally, the mystery man is revealed." He yanked it off—

The crowd gasped.

"Or should I say… mystery girl?" Pythor sneered. "Who's gonna save you now?"

A chilling whistle cut through the night.

The wind picked up. The temperature dropped.

A shadow loomed over them.

The Serpentine turned—and froze.

High above, perched on a rooftop, a figure watched.

Eyes glowing dark purple.

Twin sickles gleamed in his hands.

A voice, low and ghostly, slithered through the air.

"Pythor… Pythoooorrrr… it's time to plaaaaayyyy…"

Pythor visibly paled.

A single word left his mouth.

"Retreat… RETREAT!!"

He lunged for the Fangblade, but before he could escape—

A wall of purple fire exploded around them.

Jinx grinned, eyes burning with malicious delight.

He turned his gaze toward Jay.

"Go help Nya. I want to have fun with this."

Jay hesitated, then nodded and took off toward the rollercoaster.

As he climbed, Jinx descended.

And the night… belonged to him.

Jay hurried onto the ride, his heart pounding—not from the speed of the coaster, but from the other problem hanging behind him. His tail swished back and forth, a constant reminder of his ever-worsening situation.

As the cart lurched forward, Nya turned to him with a puzzled look. "What happened to you?"

Jay forced a chuckle, trying to play it off. "What happened to you?"

Then, his eyes widened. Just ahead, the tracks were broken, leading straight into a ring of fire. His stomach twisted into knots.

"Unh, we have to get you out of here!" he yelped.

Nya's eyes flickered toward him again, and this time, she really looked. Her gaze landed on his tail.

"Wait, were you bit?" she asked sharply. "Take off your headscarf."

Jay stiffened. "I prefer not."

"Jay—"

He sighed, gripping the edge of his scarf tighter. "Look, I was meaning to tell you, but I didn't want it to ruin the date."

A small, amused smile tugged at Nya's lips. "Oh, that's so sweet." Then, as if an idea struck her, she added, "Hey, weren't you the first in your 'Lil Scouts' group to get your knot badge?"

Jay swallowed hard. "Yeah, about that…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I may have made that up just to impress you." He hesitated. "I was never actually in 'Lil Scouts'."

Nya's eyebrows shot up. "You weren't?"

Jay barely had time to process her reaction before she grabbed onto the side of the cart. "Hold on!"

His eyes darted to her. "What? You have an idea?"

"No—hold on!"

The cart plunged down a steep slope. The sudden drop sent a rush of wind blasting into Jay's face, ripping his scarf loose.

He yelped. "Aah! Don't look at me!" He desperately tried to pull the fabric back up, but it was too late—Nya had already seen everything.

His blue-scaled skin.

His reptilian features.

His freaking tail.

Jay squeezed his eyes shut, panic rising in his chest. "I'm a monster! Though I hate the Samurai, where is he when you actually need him?! Samurai! Help! Help! SAMURAI!"

Nya hesitated, then spoke softly. "Jay, I don't think the Samurai is coming."

His heart sank. "Why not?"

Nya bit her lip. "This… might not be the best time, but I haven't been totally honest either."

Jay blinked. "What?"

She took a deep breath. "I… I'm the Samurai."

For a second, Jay thought the Venomari venom was still messing with his brain. But as the words sank in, his mouth fell open in shock.

"YOU'RE the SAMURAI!?"

Before he could fully process that revelation, the cart raced toward the broken tracks.

Jay's heart stopped. "Aah! We're running out of track!"

But Nya wasn't looking at the tracks. She was looking at him.

"Jay… if anything horrible happens, I want you to know something."

His breathing quickened. "What is it?"

Her gaze softened. "You don't have to wear cologne or pretend to be anything you're not." She smiled. "Because I like you best when you're you."

Before he could react, she leaned in and kissed him.

Jay's entire brain short-circuited.

A warmth surged through his body, overwhelming the cold, creeping effects of the venom. His fingers trembled as he reached up—his scales were fading. His tail was disappearing.

His eyes widened in realization. "My face… I'm turning back to normal!"

Nya grinned. "Just like you said. I must've raised your heart rate."

As the cart rushed toward certain doom, Nya whispered, "Whatever happens next, just remember—you are the best you."

Then—something clicked inside Jay.

A powerful surge rippled through his body, sparking at his fingertips. His Nunchucks of Lightning crackled with pure, electrifying energy.

Nya's eyes widened. "What's happening?!"

Jay stood up, feeling lighter than ever before. "My True Potential."

Then, with a blinding flash, Jay transformed into pure electricity.

He shot forward like lightning itself, stopping the runaway train seconds before it could reach the fiery ring.

The group gathered at the park entrance, the aftermath of the battle settling in around them.

Zane nodded approvingly. "You really had me fooled. I never guessed you were the Samurai."

Cole smirked at Nya. "I wish I had a sister like you."

Kai folded his arms. "Technically, I was the first to discover her secret." Then he raised an eyebrow. "And didn't we agree that whoever we thought was the best would naturally be the Green Ninja?"

The others exchanged glances.

Jay frowned. "Why would we say that?"

Cole scratched his head. "Yeah, I'm drawing a blank."

Zane shook his head. "Nope. That conversation is not in my database."

Jay let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "You know what I learned today?"

Nya smiled. "What's that?"

Jay's gaze softened. "No matter what kind of secret you have—whether you're a snake or a Samurai—it's important to just be yourself."

Cole rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's cute, but you wanna know what I learned? The Serpentine now have the first Fangblade."

Zane, ever the optimist, nodded. "But we are getting stronger. One day, we will all reach our True Potential, and Pythor will be stopped."

Jay grinned. "And we figured all this out without Sensei. Pretty good for four ninja."

Nya smirked. "And a Samurai." She playfully punched Jay's shoulder.

Kai exhaled. "I wonder what Sensei's doing right now."

Then—the sound of screaming filled the air.

The group stiffened.

Slowly, they turned their heads—toward the battlefield.

Their eyes widened in horror.

The Serpentine were strewn across the ground—completely drained of color.

At the center of it all stood Jinx.

His dark purple eyes gleamed as he slammed Pythor into the ground—again and again. The snake general's body whipped like a ragdoll before being tossed aside like trash.

Then—Jinx conjured a chain of pure darkness.

It hooked onto Skales.

Before Skales could react, Jinx yanked him forward.

The ninja barely had time to process what happened before Jinx grabbed Skales by the tail… and started using him as a jump rope.

The group watched in stunned silence.

Jay gulped. "...So, uh… should we stop him?"

Kai took a step back. "I say we let him finish first."

Cole nodded. "Agreed."

Jinx's dark chains rattled like restless vipers as he whipped Skales through the air with effortless precision. His movements were fluid, almost graceful, yet there was something deeply unnatural about the ease with which he toyed with the Serpentine general.

Skales barely had time to process the nightmare unfolding around him before his entire world became a maelstrom of chaos—thrown up, yanked down, dragged through the dirt, spun like a ragdoll, then hurled skyward only to be slammed back into the earth.

The impact sent a spiderweb of cracks racing across the battlefield.

"S-stop! Y-you're—"

WHAM!

Jinx slammed him down again, harder this time. The ground beneath them splintered with the force, leaving a small crater.

The other Serpentine, still conscious, quivered in terror. The once-mighty warriors of the underground now lay scattered, motionless, pale— their bodies drained of color and life like hollow husks.

Jinx wasn't even trying.

The ninja stood frozen, watching in stunned silence.

Then—

"Guys… he's not stopping."

Nya's voice cut through the stillness, tinged with urgency.

They turned just in time to see Jinx tighten his grip.

Dark energy pulsed through the obsidian chains, coursing into Skales' struggling form like a ravenous tide. The Serpentine general's body convulsed violently as a tortured shriek tore from his throat.

His once vibrant blue scales dulled—turning gray, lifeless, like something withered from the inside out.

Jay took an uneasy step forward. "Uh—Jinx? Buddy?"

Jinx's dark purple eyes flickered toward them.

Not with rage.

Not with hatred.

But with something far worse.

Indifference.

Like they weren't even worth noticing.

A chill slithered down their spines.

For the first time since meeting him, the ninja realized something deeply unsettling.

Jinx didn't fight like them.

He didn't fight to win.

He fought to destroy.

Jay forced out a nervous laugh. "Haha, okay, um, so, I think Skales has learned his lesson, so, uh, maybe put him down before you—"

Jinx yanked the chain.

Skales screamed.

The ninja snapped into action.

"Jinx, STOP!"

Lightning cracked through the air as Jay launched himself forward, his Nunchucks of Lightning sparking violently. He aimed a strike at the chains, hoping to sever them before it was too late—

CLANG.

The moment his weapon made contact, a pulse of darkness surged up the metal, traveling straight into his arm like a venomous tendril sinking into his veins.

Jay froze midair.

His mind flooded.

Something was wrong.

Horribly, horribly wrong.

Memories.

Pain.

Screams.

He saw **visions—**flashes of a world before this, before them, before everything.

A world of twisted nightmares.

A shadowed figure, standing alone.

A voice whispering in his mind.

"There is no such thing as a hero."

Then—

Something else.

The darkness shifted, twisted, reshaping into something more vivid, personal.

Jay found himself in a massive nursery. The air was warm, filled with the faint scent of old books and fresh linen.

A woman stood near the window, cradling something small in her arms. A man stood beside her, his expression unreadable.

Jay couldn't move.

Couldn't speak.

Could only watch.

Then—

It was gone.

Like a flame snuffed out.

Jay let out a sharp gasp, stumbling backward, his vision blurring as his body buckled.

A strong arm caught him before he could collapse.

"Jay!" Zane's voice. Steady. Concerned. "Are you alright?"

Jay's breathing was ragged. His pulse pounded loud in his ears. He shook his head. "I… I don't know… what just… happened…"

Jinx tilted his head, as if mildly intrigued. Then, with a mere flick of his wrist, he released Skales.

The Serpentine general crashed onto the dirt, unmoving.

Then—

A slow clap.

The ninja turned sharply, tensed for battle.

Pythor—bruised, battered, but still standing—gave a dry chuckle. "Well, well, well… that was certainly a show."

He wiped the blood from his mouth. "I must say, Jinx… you are quite the enigma."

Jinx didn't react.

Pythor's red eyes gleamed. "But it seems… you're not the only one reaching your true potential."

A sharp, predatory grin.

"The first Fangblade is ours… and soon, the rest will follow."

Cole's fists tightened. "You won't get away with this, Pythor!"

Pythor merely smirked. "Oh, I believe I already have."

Then—a hiss, a flicker of movement—

Pythor vanished into the shadows.

Retreating into the depths of the Serpentine tunnels.

A heavy silence settled over the battlefield.

Jay slowly sat up, still feeling the lingering traces of darkness inside his mind.

Nya placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Jay exhaled. "Yeah… just…" He hesitated, then glanced at Jinx.

"Remind me to never touch his chains again."

Jinx didn't seem to hear him.

His eyes were still locked onto the shadows where Pythor had disappeared.

The ninja exchanged uneasy glances.

For the first time, they wondered—

What was Jinx really after?

Jinx's dark chains slowly recoiled, slithering back into his grasp like sentient shadows. His gaze drifted over the battlefield, eyes void of emotion as he turned toward his next victim.

A fallen Serpentine warrior twitched, weakly attempting to crawl away. Jinx tilted his head.

Then—he moved.

With a flick of his wrist, his chains snapped forward.

But before they could strike—

A hand caught his shoulder.

Firm. Steady.

Jinx froze.

Slowly, he turned his head, his dark purple eyes locking onto Jay.

Jay met his gaze, unwavering, despite the fear clawing at the edges of his mind.

"It's done."

His voice was gentle. Certain.

"You can rest now."

The moment those words left his lips, something shifted.

A strange sensation passed between them—a weight lifting, like an unseen force exhaled after holding its breath for too long.

Then, they both noticed it.

That voice…

It hadn't just been Jay.

For a fraction of a second, it was as if someone else had spoken through him.

Jinx's eyes widened slightly.

A faint glow had been radiating from his body, a dark, unnatural aura that pulsed like a dying ember. But now—

It flickered.

Then, it was gone.

Jinx's entire form swayed. His chains slackened, slipping from his grasp like they had lost their purpose. His eyelids grew heavy, his breathing slowing.

Jay barely had time to react before Jinx collapsed.

Falling straight into his arms.

The battlefield fell eerily silent.

The other ninja stared, stunned, as Jay instinctively tightened his hold, lowering Jinx carefully to the ground. He could feel the slow, steady rise and fall of his chest—asleep, not unconscious.

Something… had changed.

And then—

A rustling sound caught their attention.

Nya gasped. "Wait—Skales! He's—"

Their heads snapped toward the spot where the Serpentine general had fallen.

But he was gone.

A faint trail of disturbed dirt and drag marks led toward the shadows of the nearby ruins.

Someone had pulled him away.

Zane narrowed his eyes. "We were not alone."

Cole clenched his fists. "Who could've—?"

Then, they noticed something else.

The ashen gray that had once overtaken Skales' body was fading. Color had begun to creep back into his scales, spreading ever so slowly.

Nya's eyes widened. "He's recovering…"

But how?

Their gazes drifted back to Jinx—now resting peacefully in Jay's arms.

Jay exhaled, his grip still firm. Despite everything, Jinx looked… at peace.

For the first time since they met him, the ninja wondered—

Who was Jinx before all of this?

And…

Who had just spoken through Jay?

The air grew colder as they stood at the base of the looming peak, its jagged cliffs piercing the sky like the fangs of some ancient beast. A heavy mist curled around its slopes, swallowing the distant summit in an ominous haze.

The Mountain of Madness.

Garmadon narrowed his eyes as he gazed upward. "We're here."

Wu, standing beside him, pulled his robe tighter around himself. The chilling wind bit at his skin, carrying with it an unsettling whisper, as if the mountain itself was alive—watching them.

He took a breath. "The only way back to Ninjago is up there?"

Garmadon didn't answer immediately. His red eyes remained locked on the treacherous path ahead, his jaw set in grim determination. Then, at last, he muttered:

"The worst is yet to come."

Wu glanced at him but said nothing. He could sense it too—this place was not normal. It pulsed with an ancient energy, something neither alive nor dead, something that clawed at their minds with invisible fingers.

And yet, there was no other way.

Without another word, the two brothers began their ascent.

Every step was a battle. The jagged terrain forced them to watch their footing, loose rocks threatening to send them plummeting at the slightest misstep. The wind howled like a wounded beast, shrieking through the cliffs, growing more violent the higher they climbed.

But it wasn't just the wind.

The further they went, the more distorted the world became. Shadows twisted unnaturally, stretching where they shouldn't. The air itself felt heavier, pressing against their chests like an invisible weight.

Then came the whispers.

Faint at first.

Then louder.

Echoing from everywhere and nowhere.

Wu's grip tightened on his staff. "Do you hear that?"

Garmadon's expression darkened. "Ignore it."

Wu frowned. The voices weren't just unintelligible murmurs—they were familiar.

Taunting. Mocking.

They sounded like… people they had known.

Wu swallowed hard as a voice slithered into his ear, as clear as if it were spoken beside him.

"You will fail them, just as you failed him."

He stopped mid-step, breath hitching. "No… that's not real."

Garmadon, just a few paces ahead, had also frozen. His hands clenched into fists, his entire body tense. Wu saw it in his eyes—the same thing was happening to him.

This mountain wasn't just testing their strength.

It was testing their minds.

Garmadon exhaled sharply and continued forward. "Keep moving, Wu."

Wu hesitated only for a second before following. He knew one thing for certain—

If they stopped for too long, they might never make it to the top.

And neither of them wanted to find out what happened to those who failed.