Above the restless sea, Zane adjusted the focus of his binoculars, the Falcon perched on his shoulder squawking sharply as he and Wu stood atop the Destiny's Bounty. The skies were clear, but what lay beyond them… was anything but normal.
"Hmm," Zane murmured, his mechanical eye softly whirring. "Most peculiar. Yesterday, there was nothing but open ocean… but now—there's an island."
Wu's expression grew grave, his hand tightening on his staff. "The Dark Island, Zane," he said, voice heavy with warning. "And what troubles me more… is that after the Stone Army's attack on Ninjago City, today… they have vanished."
Zane lowered his binoculars. "Do you believe they've relocated to the island? Could this be Garmadon's doing?"
Wu nodded solemnly. "I fear so. But what's more important is discovering what lies upon that island… and what Garmadon is planning."
Zane glanced to his Falcon, stroking its sleek feathers before lifting his wrist. "Perhaps my Falcon can get us a better view." With a light signal, the Falcon spread its wings and took off into the horizon, heading towards the looming shadow of the island.
Below deck, the usual clang of tools and muttered complaints filled the Destiny's Bounty. The ninja worked tirelessly to repair the damage sustained from their last battle, while Jinx lounged lazily on a crate nearby, arms folded behind his head, a cocky grin on his face. His body was still recovering, Wu's orders limited him to light walking, and truthfully… Jinx wasn't complaining.
Jay yelped as a splash of engine oil hit his face. "Ugh! Useless pile of junk," he groaned, kicking the malfunctioning machinery.
Nya, wiping sweat from her brow, grimaced as she inspected the battered rotors. "It's worse than I thought," she muttered. "The starboard booster's rotors are completely destroyed, and the port boosters… cooked from the overload. Sorry, guys." She stood, arms crossed. "She's not getting airborne anytime soon."
Cole's face fell. "Great. So if the Stone Army comes knocking again, we're basically sitting ducks."
Jay wiped the oil off his nose. "Uh, ducks can fly, Cole. You were paying attention, right?"
Kai kicked at a loose gear. "We just got stomped by stone brutes we couldn't even scratch. I hate feeling helpless."
Wu's voice rang calm through the tension. "We mustn't give up hope, Kai."
Lloyd leaned against the railing, shoulders sagging. "But they're indestructible. You saw it, Sensei. My powers could barely slow them down."
Jinx smirked from his crate. "Sounds like you guys are sitting ducks. Meanwhile, I'm gonna be just fine."
Wu's gaze turned sharp. "You've yet to understand the full effects of the Stone Army's power, Jinx. And without a Stone Warrior to examine, we can't predict what will happen if you push yourself."
Jinx shrugged lazily. "Ehh, I've got options. And who knows? Maybe I've barely scratched the surface. Either way—someone's gotta watch baby boy over there," he motioned to Lloyd, "since his powers aren't quite there yet… and neither are you… other NPCs."
The four ninja shot him offended looks, collective groans filling the room.
"Hey!" they barked in unison.
But Lloyd, despite himself, chuckled. "He's… not exactly wrong," he admitted quietly. "I'm not strong enough to beat them. Not yet."
Misako stepped forward from the corner, her voice calm but firm. "That's not entirely true, Lloyd."
The room quieted as she unfurled an ancient scroll, its edges aged and weathered. "There is a way to defeat them," she continued. "It's written in the prophecies—hidden within these scrolls."
They all gathered around as Misako pointed to the intricate script. "The answer lies with the Green Ninja. The power to defeat the Stone Army… comes from you."
Lloyd's brow creased. "I tried," he said, frustration lacing his voice. "I gave it everything I had."
Misako smiled knowingly. "Yes… but you're stronger than you realize. Look closely." She tapped the scroll. "The true power of the Green Ninja will only reveal itself when his four protectors unlock their pure elemental abilities."
Cole blinked. "Wait… protectors? As in… us?"
Jay scoffed, jabbing his thumb at his chest. "Pfft, silly question. Of course it's us. Right?"
Zane's voice was more reserved. "If we are the protectors… then we're doomed. Our Golden Weapons are gone. Without them, we can't channel our elemental powers."
Jinx yawned and stretched. "Tch… Jay and Kai are making progress… though at the speed of a snail on a cold day," he jabbed. "You lot relied on those shiny toys way too much—like a baby clinging to a bottle."
The four ninja glared daggers at him, jaws clenched in indignation.
Wu, however, merely nodded, a weight of responsibility in his eyes. "He's not wrong," Wu admitted quietly. "It is a failing I must take responsibility for."
Misako stepped forward, her expression earnest, her voice carrying a quiet conviction. "The powers still exist within each of you," she said, looking around at the ninja. "And… there is a way to unlock them on your own. We must travel to the Temple of Light."
Nya blinked in confusion. "Temple of Light? What's that supposed to be?"
Misako's gaze grew distant, as if recalling old texts. "The gold used to forge the Golden Weapons came from the Golden Peaks," she explained, "but it was at the Temple of Light where they were truly forged—where their power was awakened. It's a sacred place, filled with the energy of the First Spinjitzu Master. For years, I thought it was just a legend… but I believe it's real."
Wu's brow furrowed beneath his hat. "It's… on the Dark Island, isn't it?"
Misako nodded slowly. "I believe so. The only choice we have is to find it and see for ourselves."
Cole's face lit up, clenching his fists. "So… we get our powers back? Alright! That's what I'm talking about!"
But Nya, ever practical, raised a hand. "Not so fast. There's still a pretty big problem—the Bounty can't fly anymore."
Misako gave a small shrug. "It's a ship, isn't it? Can't it… sail?"
Jay threw up his hands, laughing awkwardly. "Pfft, silly question, of course it can sail! Right…? Right?"
An awkward silence followed, before Jinx's voice cut in from where he leaned against the wall, arms crossed and tone dry. "Also, question… since this is a temple tied to the First Spinjitzu Master… am I even allowed inside?"
Everyone glanced his way, the question lingering in the air.
Misako pressed her lips together thoughtfully before answering. "From everything I've read in the scrolls, the Overlord never found the Temple of Light. Which means… there's no evidence either way. No record saying you can… or can't… enter."
Jinx let out a sarcastic snort, pushing off the wall. "Great. Nothing like the good old mystery curse hanging over my head."
Jay elbowed him lightly. "Hey, you never know—maybe you'll break some ancient taboo and turn into a golden statue."
"Not helping," Jinx muttered, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
The group fell quiet, the weight of their next journey settling upon them like a storm cloud on the horizon.
Wu finally spoke, voice resolute. "Then it's decided. We head for the Dark Island."
The Destiny's Bounty rocked gently at the dock, sails furled, its deck bustling with activity as the ninja prepared to depart once again. Friends and family had gathered to see them off, the atmosphere lively with farewells and well-wishes.
Edna clutched Jay's arms with motherly insistence. "Now promise me you'll eat your vegetables," she said, wagging a finger.
"Mom," Jay groaned, already inching back toward the gangplank.
"I mean it!" Edna pressed, clearly unfazed by his protests. "You get sluggish when you don't get enough vitamins. Ed, tell him—if he's going to save the world, he has to eat properly."
Ed scratched his head and shrugged, smiling. "Uh… do what your mother says."
Jay opened his mouth, poised to protest—but before a word left his lips, a whoosh of compressed air knocked him off balance. He stumbled back, landing on his rear with a surprised oof. Blinking, he looked up to see Jinx striding forward, laughing heartily. His windblast had clearly been intentional, though playful. Even Ed and Edna chuckled, though Edna's smile faltered into a worried frown.
Jinx noticed immediately.
"Aw, don't worry, Mrs. Walker," Jinx said with a grin, resting his katana on his shoulder, "he's a big boy now. Can dust off his own little boo-boos…" His gaze shifted to Jay, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Or… are you about to run to your sweet mother, begging on your knees?"
Jay recognized the tone instantly—this wasn't a suggestion. This was a command. With a theatrical groan, he zipped to his mother's feet, dropped to his knees, and bowed low.
"Oh most wonderful, wise, vitamin-loving Mother Walker… forgive this fool of a son," he said dramatically.
Edna beamed, ruffling his hair fondly. "All is forgiven, my little lightning bug."
Jinx chuckled, walking off with a swagger as Jay muttered something under his breath.
Nearby, Lou stood watching, arms folded, a wide grin on his face. He took a step toward Cole, clapping him on the back. "You know… I don't know what to say."
Cole glanced over, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "You don't have to say anything, Dad."
Lou's grin widened. "You're right… I don't have to say anything." He snapped his fingers. "But I do have to sing."
The Royal Blacksmiths, who had been lingering by the dock, immediately perked up, harmonizing a soft hum as Lou launched into a boisterous, heartfelt tune.
"♪ Who's gonna save Ninjago's hide?
Who's gonna make a dad swell with pride?
Cole is! Cole does! Cole, Cole, Cole! ♪"
Applause rippled across the dock. Cole flushed but couldn't help grinning. "That's… honestly the sweetest thing you've ever done, Pop."
Lou's eyes twinkled before shifting, catching sight of Jinx, who was just finishing a playful scuffle with Jay. Lou waved him over.
"Oi, Jinx! Got a minute?"
Jinx adjusted his sword belt, strolling over with his usual easy grin. "Sup, Lou? What can I do for you?"
Lou's voice softened with something like fatherly warmth. "Ahhh, Jinx… this generation's picture of grace and chaotic elegance," he said, much to Jinx's amusement. "Hate to bother ya, but I was wondering if you could do me a small favor."
"Shoot."
Lou slung an arm around Cole, who grimaced as his father enthusiastically ruffled his hair. "This knucklehead of mine—my pride and joy—he's got a habit of rushing headfirst into nonsense. I don't mind a few bumps and bruises; builds character, you know how it is. But… if it's not too much trouble… could you make sure he comes back in one piece?"
"Dad!" Cole complained, batting Lou's hand away.
Jinx just snorted, patting Cole's shoulder firmly. "You got it, Lou. I'll make sure your boy gets his scars in the right places and doesn't lose anything… important."
Lou nodded approvingly. "Good enough for me."
The Destiny's Bounty floated steady in the harbor, its sails catching the early breeze. On deck, Kai stood tall, arms crossed, as he addressed a rather eager Dareth.
"Now, Dareth," Kai said with mock solemnity, "as the honorary Brown Ninja, we're entrusting you with two very important responsibilities: protecting all of Ninjago while we're gone… and tending to the Ultra Dragon. Think you're up to the task?"
Dareth puffed out his chest, practically glowing. "I won't let you guys down!" He spun to the crowd of onlookers and fans nearby, raising his voice. "Did you hear that? I'm officially the Brown Ninja!"
The gathered villagers cheered.
"Oh, oh! What's my elemental power?" Dareth asked eagerly.
"Uh… water?" Nya said dryly, arms folded.
Dareth gasped. "So I command the seas. Cool." He made a few dramatic hand motions, as though controlling waves already.
Meanwhile, Lloyd leaned against the Ultra Dragon, running a hand down the beast's scaly snout. "You need to stay here, big guy. These people need your protection." The dragon rumbled low, reluctantly obedient.
Zane stood apart, silent, his eyes scanning the horizon. The noise of laughter and cheering seemed to fade around him. Wu noticed and stepped closer.
"Is there anyone you would like to say goodbye to?" Wu asked gently.
Zane shook his head. "My only family is my falcon. And my only memory of my father was nearly erased. I will miss Ninjago—for it is all I know—but I am excited to see what the future has in store."
Wu's smile was quiet, proud. "Well, my Nindroid friend, there are more who would like to say goodbye than you realize."
He pointed to the dock below, where a mob of villagers and fans were waving banners and shouting encouragement.
"Rufus!" one voice bellowed above the rest. "I love you, you stupid Nindroid!"
Zane blinked, unsure how to respond, while the other ninja snickered.
Wu clapped his hands. "Pupils, it is time we set sail."
"Goodbye!" Jay shouted, waving.
"See you!" Cole added.
"So long!" Kai grinned.
"Bye, bitches!" Jinx hollered, flicking his hand lazily toward the dock.
A chorus of squeals erupted. Nearly twenty fangirls swooned at once, collapsing dramatically—and more than a few guys joined them, dazed in bliss. The other ninja exchanged looks.
"...He's ridiculous," Cole muttered.
On the pier, Dareth waved both arms, making exaggerated motions like he was pushing the ship forward. "See that? It's working!"
Jinx, deciding to be merciful, flicked his wrist ever so slightly. A gust of wind filled the sails, and the Bounty began to glide smoothly out to sea. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Jay!" a shrill voice called out. "Did you remember to pack clean underwear?"
Jay's eyes widened. "Yes, Mom!"
The entire deck burst into laughter, Jay burying his face in his hands as Nya smirked smugly.
Wu's expression sobered. "We still have a long journey ahead of us."
Cole leaned against the railing. "Still no word from your falcon?"
"Not yet," Zane admitted.
"I wonder what's on that island," Kai mused aloud.
"An entirely new ecosystem, perhaps," Zane offered.
"Never-before-seen creatures," Cole added, intrigued.
Jay clapped his hands together. "Ooh! Vegetables that taste like dessert!"
Kai scoffed. "I just hope the Stone Army is there. They may have gotten the best of us once, but never again."
"You said it," Cole agreed.
"Hear, hear!" Jay chimed.
Lloyd leaned on the rail, his voice softer than the rest. "I wonder if this is the end of our destiny."
Kai smiled faintly. "If it is, there's no one else I'd want at my side."
"Hear, hear!" Jay said again.
Cole smirked. "You said it."
Suddenly, Zane's eyes flickered with mechanical light. "My falcon!" He activated Falcon Vision, the bird's camera feeding directly into his optics. "It has arrived at the Dark Island!"
He plugged himself into the ship's console, projecting the image for all to see. Through the falcon's eyes, they saw a bleak coastline, jagged and storm-shrouded. Stone Warriors stood in formation on the shore.
Then—an arrow of stone whistled through the air. The falcon screeched as the feed cut abruptly, and Zane stumbled back with a violent spark.
Everyone gasped.
"He's… he's gone," Zane whispered, his voice shaken.
Wu's brow furrowed. "We do not know that for certain."
"Yeah," Jinx said, adjusting his coat. "At most, they captured him. Probably for study."
Nya placed a hand on Zane's arm. "Oh, Zane. I'm so sorry."
Kai clenched his fists. "Well, he was our friend too. And we're not letting him go in vain. If the Stone Army wants a fight, they got one."
Before anyone could respond, Misako's voice rang out from the helm. "That's going to have to wait. Right now, we're sailing straight for a storm. All hands on deck!"
Lightning cracked across the sky, thunder shaking the sails as black clouds rolled over the ocean.
Their journey to the Dark Island had truly begun.
The waves around the Dark Island boiled like ink under a bruised sky. Columns of smoke twisted up from the cliffs as the Stone Scouts trudged through thick, tar-like sludge, their armor glinting faintly in the dim light. Every step sank deeper into the mire, every movement dragging up the stench of rot and iron.
Garmadon stood at the edge of a broken ridge, his four arms folded, his patience thinning with every squelching footstep below.
"This is foolish," he snarled, his voice echoing across the black ravine. "I have an unbeatable army ready to conquer Ninjago, and yet we waste time playing in the mud?!"
From behind him, a voice like poisoned wind slithered into the air.
"What you call 'mud,'" the Overlord hissed, "is concentrated evil — the blood of the island itself. A Dark Matter so dense that a single drop could turn a man's heart as black as night."
Garmadon's glare softened with reluctant interest. The ground trembled as the dark substance pulsed faintly, glowing like oil catching moonlight.
The Overlord continued, his words coiling around Garmadon's thoughts like smoke.
"Have patience, Garmadon. The Celestial Clock ticks backward toward Doomsday. Time cannot be stopped — only spent wisely. To claim victory, we must prepare. We must build a superweapon… the likes of which this world has never seen."
A slow, feral grin crept over Garmadon's face.
"A superweapon, you say?" His eyes gleamed with malice. "I like the sound of that."
He threw back his head and laughed — a deep, rolling sound that echoed through the island's hollows like thunder over a graveyard.
The Destiny's Bounty fought for its life against the storm. Wind screamed through its sails, ropes strained to their limits, and the sky broke in flashes of white. Waves hammered the hull with relentless fury.
"Hold the line!" Cole shouted over the roar, muscles flexing as he clung to the main mast.
"The winds are too strong!" Lloyd called back, his voice barely audible through the rain.
Zane's mechanical eyes flickered. "We need everyone's help! Jay!"
But Jay stood frozen near the railing, soaked but hesitant, clutching a loose rope.
"I don't wanna get wet!" he yelled. "I—I only have one pair of underwear!"
From across the deck, a low growl cut through the storm.
"Jay, get your narrow ass over here!" Jinx barked. "I'm doing more than you and I'm injured!"
Jay's mouth opened, ready with another excuse, but Kai beat him to it.
"This is no time for jokes! The Bounty can only take so much!"
"I'm not joking!" Jay protested, waving his arms as thunder cracked overhead. "You'll see who's laughing when I have to go commando!"
A strange, rippling noise answered him — faint at first, like a hundred distant giggles carried on the wind.
Kai frowned. "Wait… who is laughing?"
Nya turned toward the waves, unease tightening her shoulders. "That's… not us."
Wu's expression hardened beneath his hat. "That's not laughter."
Misako, watching the windows of the bridge, went pale. "No. It's them."
Something small and pale clung to the glass — starfish-shaped, but wrong. Its limbs pulsed like veins. It opened a ring of teeth and pressed against the pane, vibrating with hideous, chittering laughter.
"Starteeth," Misako breathed.
Kai blinked. "Uh, guys? Why is the sea laughing at us?"
Jay swallowed hard. "And why do I have a feeling we're not gonna get the joke—?"
The deck shuddered as a dozen Starteeth slapped against the hull, suctioning tight. The sound was wet and sharp — slap, slap, slap.
Jinx didn't wait. He slapped Jay upside the head. "Ya think!?"
Cole dropped his rope as one of the creatures crawled up the mast. "What in the—?"
The others shouted as the ship tilted.
"Whoa!"
"I'm coming!" Jay yelled, finally charging forward. "I got it!"
"About time!" Kai barked.
Jay slipped on seawater and caught a full splash to the face. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Cole knelt, grabbing a wriggling one from the deck. "Looks like some kind of—fish?"
The creature turned, and rows of jagged, ivory teeth glinted.
Misako's voice cut through the wind. "Don't let them on board! They devour ships! They won't stop until we sink!"
Cole's eyes widened — just as the thing bit him.
"AAAAH! It bit me!"
The rope he'd been holding snapped under the creature's jaws. The mast groaned, swaying dangerously.
Kai spun and hurled one overboard. "Get these things off the ship!"
Another latched onto his shoulder.
"GAAH! I'm starstruck!" He flung it off into the waves. "Good riddance, water vampires!"
Lloyd was already kicking at them near the hull. "Faster! Or we'll sink!"
Jay, now covered in the things, flailed wildly. "Get them off! GET THEM OFF!"
"Use your Spinjitzu!" Kai shouted.
Jay spun in a blur of blue and lightning — but the creatures clung tight, flung upward, and latched onto the sails instead.
Jay blinked. "Okay… bad idea!"
Before anyone could react, the air around Jinx seemed to tilt.
A pulse — deep, heavy — rippled through the ship. His injured arm, wrapped in bandages, shuddered as the black veins beneath his skin began to glow faintly violet.
Darkness spilled from his palm, not like smoke, but like liquid gravity — thick, slow, and hungry. It bent the air around it, drawing the Starteeth off the sails with a sound like distant thunder. They screeched as they were yanked from wood and rope, pulled into a swirling black sphere that shimmered with weight.
Jinx clenched his fist, and the darkness collapsed inward — imploding with a low hum before flinging the creatures back into the sea.
The ocean hissed, boiling where they landed.
He exhaled sharply, his breath misting white in the rain.
"Next time," he muttered, "bring a damn net."
The others stared, wide-eyed, before remembering themselves.
"Ninja, go!" they roared in unison, spinning into their elements — wind, fire, earth, and ice flashing across the deck. The Starteeth screeched, torn free and hurled into the storm.
Kai slashed through one with a broken oar. "Sink your teeth into this!"
But the victory was short-lived.
Jay's eyes widened. "They're eating through the chains!"
Lloyd followed his gaze — the Starteeth swarmed along the side of the hull, invisible from the deck.
"Guys… I think we have a bigger problem."
The sound of splintering wood split the air.
The ship lurched hard to port.
Nya grabbed the railing. "They're chewing through the hull! I can't reach them!"
Rain pounded down harder, thunder rolling like drums of war.
Jay's voice cracked as the deck tilted again. "Oh, I definitely should've brought an extra pair of underwear!"
The storm swallowed their laughter.
The sea laughed back.
And beneath the waves, the dark island waited — listening.
The morning broke gray and quiet, the storm spent at last. What remained was the aftermath.
The Destiny's Bounty groaned softly as it drifted, wounded but afloat. Water sloshed in the lower deck, pooling beneath warped planks where the Starteeth had chewed through the hull. Buckets scraped rhythmically as the ninja worked in tired silence, scooping and tossing seawater back where it belonged.
Above them, Jinx stood near the open hatch, one hand raised. The air around his palm shimmered faintly, heat bending it like glass. Warm currents rolled downward, circulating through the ship's belly, chasing dampness from wood and rope alike. The sails fluttered slightly as the moisture evaporated faster than it should have, steam curling upward in thin wisps.
Kai dumped another bucket over the side with a frustrated grunt.
"Ah, this is hopeless," he snapped, wiping sweat from his brow. "Now that we've lost the rudder, we're just drifting. We'll never make it to the Dark Island."
Misako paused, resting her bucket against her knee. Her voice stayed calm, steady.
"We only know what is foretold will happen," she said gently. "Not when it will happen."
Jinx didn't even look up.
"In translation," he added lazily, "suck it up, Kai."
Kai shot him a look, but didn't argue.
A sudden clatter broke the rhythm. Zane's bucket slipped from his grasp and rolled across the deck.
Wu turned at once. "What is it, Zane?"
Zane stood perfectly still, eyes unfocused, head tilted slightly as if listening to something no one else could hear.
"I sense… something."
Cole straightened. "Is it the Falcon?"
Jay perked up instantly. "Is he okay?"
Zane shook his head slowly. "No. It's… something else." His gaze lifted toward the horizon. "Brace yourselves."
There was barely time to register the warning before the ship lurched violently.
Wood screamed. The hull scraped hard against stone. Everyone shouted at once as the Bounty jolted forward and then stopped with a teeth-rattling crash. Buckets flew. Someone swore. Jay yelped.
When the motion finally stilled, the ninja picked themselves up and looked around.
They had run aground on a small, jagged island. Dark rock rose sharply from the sea, and perched atop it stood a tall, narrow tower, its light long extinguished.
Lloyd stared up at it. "Who would build a lighthouse way out here?"
Zane's eyes narrowed. "It is not a lighthouse."
He paused.
"It is a prison."
No one spoke as they disembarked, boots crunching against wet stone. The tower loomed closer with every step, its walls scarred and ancient. As they reached the heavy metal door, a low, rumbling growl echoed from within.
Jay froze. "…Oh. I should have brought an extra pair of underwear."
Before anyone could comment, Jinx's expression shifted slightly, as if remembering something. He reached one hand into the darkness pooled faintly at his side. The shadow folded inward, deepening—not spreading, but opening—and from it he casually pulled out a neatly folded pair of underwear.
"I had a feeling you didn't pack extra," Jinx said, handing them over. "Forgot to tell you."
Jay snatched them like a drowning man grabbing a rope. "You are a saint," he whispered fervently, nodding in solemn gratitude.
Wu cleared his throat. "Mysterious. We should proceed carefully."
Jay glanced to the side and noticed a small camera mounted near the door. "Uh… should we smile?"
The door creaked open before anyone could answer.
A man with wild hair and worn clothes stared out at them in disbelief.
"Zane?" His voice trembled. "Zane! Is it really you?"
Before anyone could react, the man rushed forward and pulled Zane into a fierce embrace.
"You found me!" he exclaimed. "You actually found me!"
Lloyd blinked. "Uh… do you know him?"
The man laughed breathlessly. "Of course I know him! I built him, for heaven's sake!"
Zane stiffened, processors whirring audibly. "But… my memory indicates that you passed away."
The man smiled sadly. "Ah. Then you found your memory switch."
Another growl rolled through the tower, closer this time. The man's expression sharpened.
"Hurry," he urged. "It can't know you're here. Or there'll be dues to pay."
Jinx and Jay spoke at the same time.
"The fuck you mean—"
Jay swallowed. "—'it'?"
"I'll explain everything inside," the man said quickly. "Including why you thought I was dead."
Behind them, Nya looked back at the Bounty, listing helplessly against the rocks.
"Well," she sighed, "the Bounty's sailing days are definitely over."
Wu nodded. "Come, Nya."
The door slammed shut behind them.
Inside, the man moved with practiced urgency—locking mechanisms, slamming bars into place, pressing his palm against a scanner.
"Locking. Barricading. Hand-checking," he muttered. Then he exhaled. "I think we're safe."
He gestured upward. "This way."
They followed him up a narrow staircase into a surprisingly warm room.
"Please," he said, waving them in. "Have a seat. You must be thirsty."
Zane looked around. "Seat… where?"
The man smiled and pulled a lever. Panels shifted smoothly, unfolding into a solid table and chairs.
"There, of course."
Nya's eyes widened. "That's pretty smart."
Jinx gave an approving hum. "For someone who built Zane," he said, "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Cole nodded. "A technical wizard."
Jay discreetly stuffed the spare underwear Jinx had given him into his pocket, then—just in case—pulled out another fresh pair and tucked that away too.
A switch flipped. The room grew quiet as a small service droid rolled forward, gracefully pouring tea into cups.
Jay leaned closer, curiosity winning out. "Hey, does this thing—"
The droid abruptly redirected, dumping hot tea straight onto his hand.
"YOW!" Jay yelped, hopping backward as everyone burst into laughter.
Everyone except Zane.
He had wandered toward the far wall, where photographs hung in careful rows. His breath caught as he lifted one gently from its hook.
It showed him—newly built, uncertain—and the man beside him, smiling proudly.
Dr. Julien.
Zane's fingers trembled just slightly as memory stirred, something old and fragile clicking into place.
Outside, something growled again.
And the past, long buried, began to wake.
Zane stood very still, fingers curled at his sides, optics dimmed to a softer glow. When he spoke, his voice carried something fragile—an uncertainty he rarely allowed himself to show.
"Father… I don't understand," he said quietly. "I—I saw you pass."
Dr. Julien's expression softened, the lines around his eyes deepening as he let out a slow breath.
"Yes. You did," he replied gently. "And believe me when I tell you, I thought I was kaput. Completely finished." He gave a small, crooked smile. "But as you know, in Ninjago… the past is the past."
Misako inclined her head, finishing the thought with practiced calm.
"And the future—"
Wu nodded.
"—is the future."
Julien chuckled softly, then grew serious again.
"Yes. But after I turned off your memory switch… what you didn't see was Samukai." His jaw tightened at the name. "That bonehead revived me with a special elixir. He wanted state-of-the-art war machines for his army. In return, he promised I would be allowed to see my son again."
Zane's eyes flickered.
"And to make sure I didn't escape," Julien continued, lowering his voice, "he chained a Leviathan to guard this place."
Lloyd swallowed. "A Leviathan? That thing we heard in the ocean…?"
Before the tension could settle, Jinx leaned forward, eyes suddenly sparkling like a child who'd just heard about a mythical beast.
"That is so cool," he said with genuine awe. "I want to keep it."
The room went quiet.
Kai pinched the bridge of his nose. Nya sighed. Wu closed his eyes. Cole stared at the ceiling as if asking it for patience.
They'd all noticed it by now—Jinx's fascination with massive, dangerous, impossible creatures. Not the casual kind either. The intent kind. Lloyd alone knew just how deep it went, remembering the night Jinx had calmly shown him the Great Devourer—now renamed Viperis—coiled in shadow, no longer a world-ending horror but an adolescent python-sized terror that still watched everything with ancient intelligence.
Julien glanced between the ninja, clearly reading the looks on their faces.
"Umm… young man," he said cautiously, "I'm not sure a Leviathan makes a suitable pet… but if you're that confident… feel free."
Jinx grinned like he'd just been given permission to adopt a volcano.
Zane cleared his throat. "Father… may we stay on track?"
Julien blinked, then nodded. "Yes. Yes, of course." His voice softened. "When Samukai didn't return, I believed I would never see you again. As time passed, I began to wonder… if you would even want to see me."
He hesitated, eyes dropping to the floor.
"I was afraid that if you learned of the terrible things I was forced to create, you would think I was a… a monster."
Zane stepped closer, his voice steady and sincere.
"We will get you out of here, Father. Now that we are together… perhaps we can invent a way off this rock."
Jay's hand shot up immediately. "Could you repair the rocket boosters on our ship?"
Julien's head snapped up. "That sailing ship has rocket boosters?"
Nya crossed her arms. "Well… had. The rotors and gears are shot."
Julien waved dismissively. "Eh, pish posh! No matter! I'll have your ship airworthy by dawn!"
A deep, resonant growl rolled through the tower, vibrating the walls.
Cole stiffened. "Earthquake?"
Julien's face drained of color.
"No… much worse. He's here." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Everyone hide!"
The tower lights dimmed as a massive shadow passed across the windows. Water sloshed violently outside.
"Nobody make a sound," Julien murmured.
The Leviathan's enormous eye slid into view at the window, glowing faintly as it searched.
Jinx moved without a word.
The shadows in the corner of the room deepened—not spreading, not attacking—but pulling inward. Darkness folded around him, heavy and quiet, gravity itself seeming to tilt toward that corner. His outline blurred, then vanished entirely, as if the light simply refused to reach him. Even sound seemed to avoid that space.
Kai ducked behind a collapsed workbench. Nya slid beneath a metal platform. Lloyd and Cole pressed against the wall, holding their breath. Wu and Misako stood perfectly still, statues in the dim.
Julien straightened, forcing a nervous smile as he stepped into view.
"Aha! If it isn't my old chum," he called out, voice deliberately casual.
The Leviathan's breath fogged the glass.
Julien quickly arranged several tea bowls on the table, picking up chopsticks and tapping them together in a clumsy rhythm.
"Heh… just marching to the beat of my own drum," he rambled. "Doing whatever I can to pass the time. Since I'm so… you know… alone."
The Leviathan lingered.
Then, slowly, the eye withdrew. The shadow slid away. The water calmed.
A distant splash echoed as the creature returned to the depths.
Only then did everyone breathe again.
Jinx stepped out of the corner, shadows releasing him like a held breath finally exhaled.
Kai straightened, jaw tight.
"If we're going to build something and get out of here," he said grimly, "we'd better hurry… before it comes back."
The lighthouse rang with the sound of work.
Metal clanked, ropes scraped, and tools passed from hand to hand as the ninja swarmed the Destiny's Bounty, turning chaos into order through sheer effort and stubborn will. The ship groaned under repairs, but slowly—steadily—it began to feel alive again.
Cole worked near the stern, tightening a brace while softly whistling a tune. It took a few seconds before he noticed everyone staring at him.
He stopped mid-note.
"What?" he said defensively. "It's catchy."
No one argued.
Inside the tower, Tai-D carefully lifted Dr. Julien's empty bowl.
Julien leaned back in his chair and let out a satisfied belch. "Excuse me," he said cheerfully. "But I must say, I have never had such a meal in all my life. Where did you learn to cook? I never programmed that into you."
Zane tilted his head slightly. "I suppose I just… picked it up."
There was a pause, then Zane spoke again, quieter this time.
"Father… if I wanted you to make a change in me, would you?"
Julien blinked. "A change?"
"An alteration."
Julien chuckled softly. "But Zane, you're perfect. I could never make you any better than you already are."
Zane's eyes dimmed thoughtfully. "But I see no reason for me to have a memory switch. I like my life. And I don't ever want to forget you again."
Julien's smile faded into something deeper—something tender. He stepped closer and placed a hand on Zane's shoulder.
"Don't worry, my son," he said gently. "We will never forget. Either of us. I'm glad you found me."
Zane met his gaze.
"I'm glad you made me."
The moment was broken by a low, thunderous growl that shook the tower's walls.
Julien's eyes widened. "Everyone aboard! It's coming!"
Outside, the sea churned violently.
"It's here!" Kai shouted as the water exploded upward.
The Leviathan rose from the depths in a screaming mass of scales and fury, chains rattling as it surged toward the freshly repaired ship. The Bounty's engines roared to life.
"Get us out of here, Nya!" Jay yelled.
Nya gripped the controls, muscles straining. "I hope she's ready—come on!"
The ship lurched upward—only for a massive claw to slam down, gripping the hull and dragging it back toward the sea.
Wu shouted, "Lloyd! Use your Elemental Powers!"
Lloyd planted his feet. "As you wish, Sensei! Release us, you monster!"
"Hey!" Jinx snapped from the rail. "Watch how you treat my pet!"
Jay gaped at him. "It's trying to kill us!"
Jinx folded his arms, pouting. "It's just misunderstood."
For a moment, Lloyd's power forced the Leviathan to loosen its grip—but the creature roared again and seized the ship a second time.
Zane's eyes locked onto the chains.
"It's chained," he said. He climbed onto the railing without hesitation.
Julien's voice cracked. "Zane! What are you doing?!"
"The Leviathan won't let us leave," Zane replied calmly. "I think I know how I can help."
Julien shook his head in horror. "You can't jump in! These waters are filled with Starteeth!"
"I know," Zane said.
Then he dove.
"ZANE—NO!" Julien shouted.
Zane plunged into the dark water, immediately surrounded by snapping Starteeth, their teeth flashing. Without panic, without hesitation, he moved among them, redirecting them toward the massive chain binding the Leviathan. The creatures latched on greedily, chewing through metal that had held for years.
Above, the Bounty was dragged closer to the edge.
"Help!" Lloyd cried.
With a final wrenching snap, the chain broke.
The Leviathan released the ship instantly, recoiling in shock before sinking back into the depths.
"It let us go!" Kai shouted.
Julien stared in disbelief. "What happened?"
Lloyd exhaled shakily. "Zane freed it."
Julien's breath caught. "But… where is my son?"
"I'm here, Father!"
Zane climbed back onto the deck, soaked but unharmed.
Julien rushed to him, gripping his shoulders. "Zane… Zane."
Wu stepped forward. "How did you know freeing it would make it let us go?"
Zane looked out at the calm sea.
"Because no one deserves to be held captive," he said softly. "Not even a monster."
The Leviathan surfaced once more, circling slowly before disappearing into the horizon.
"Farewell," Zane said. "Enjoy your freedom."
The ocean was peaceful.
For exactly thirteen seconds.
Then came a massive splash.
"Where's Jinx?" Nya shouted.
Everyone rushed to the rail.
Below them, the Leviathan burst from the water again—this time with Jinx clinging to its neck, darkness roaring around him. His shadow bent and collapsed inward, gravity itself pulling against the creature, dragging it down, forcing it to submit. The Leviathan thrashed helplessly as Jinx wrestled it mid-ocean, pinning it through sheer oppressive force.
Even from the deck, they could feel it—the weight, the pressure, the awful inevitability of his darkness.
The Leviathan finally went still.
Julien watched, wide-eyed. "…Even after being trapped by that thing for years," he muttered, "I feel bad for it."
He looked at the ninja. "Is this what you deal with regularly?"
Everyone—Kai, Jay, Cole, Nya, Lloyd, Wu, and Zane—answered at once.
"Yes."
Below, Jinx waved cheerfully from atop the subdued Leviathan as if everything were perfectly normal.