Legacy of Darkness: The Ninjago Rebirth

The blistering sun hung high over the vast desert, its scorching heat radiating off the endless dunes of golden sand. Skales wiped his brow, hissing in irritation as he drove his claws into the earth once more.

"We're wasting our time, Pythor," he grumbled, flicking aside a handful of dry dirt. "There's nothing here but sand and dust."

Pythor, unfazed, continued to dig with relentless determination, his long purple tail curling and uncurling as he worked. His crimson eyes gleamed with conviction.

"Keep digging," he commanded, voice smooth but firm. "The Lost City of Ouroboros lies beneath us. I know it."

Skales scoffed, tossing another handful of sand aside. "Face it. Your first attempt to unite the tribes failed. Now that you've lost your flock, you've become desperate."

Pythor's grin widened. "I am desperate, my disloyal number two, but only to bring our kind together. We must awaken the Great Devourer, and for that, we need unity."

Skales narrowed his yellow eyes. "You put too much faith in legends. The Serpentine have only ever known war amongst themselves."

Pythor ignored the skepticism, his claws suddenly striking something solid beneath the layers of dust. His eyes gleamed with excitement. He dug faster, uncovering a large stone dial buried beneath the sand. His laughter echoed through the empty desert.

"Skales," he said, running his hand over the intricate carvings, "I believe we've found it."

With a flick of his wrist, Pythor turned the dial. The ground trembled. A deep rumble rolled through the dunes like the growl of an awakening beast. Sand cascaded down the slopes as ancient mechanisms shifted beneath the surface. Slowly, ominously, the Lost City of Ouroboros began to rise.

Towering stone structures emerged from the earth, their surfaces adorned with Serpentine runes and sculptures of long-forgotten kings. The golden light of the sun bathed the resurrected city, illuminating the once-hidden fortress of the Serpentine.

Pythor spread his arms wide, his voice rich with triumph.

"I present to you," he declared, "the city formerly known as the Lost City of Ouroboros."

(The Destiny's Bounty)

High above the landscape, the Destiny's Bounty sailed through the sky, its sails billowing against the wind. The ship glided past a towering mountain, its shadow stretching across the valley below.

From the clouds, a lone figure emerged—riding a bicycle with makeshift wings strapped to his back. The Postman, struggling against the winds, frantically pedaled toward the ship, a package tucked under one arm.

"Wait! Slow down!" he called, his voice barely carrying over the rushing air. "I have a package for Sensei Wu!"

Oblivious to the aerial delivery attempt, Lloyd paced across the deck, deep in concentration. His fists clenched and unclenched as he visualized his strategy.

"First," he muttered to himself, "I'll stomp on his tail. Then, when he turns, a thunder clap to his ears. And once he's stunned, I'll disarm him—"

Cole shook his head, arms crossed. "Too late. He's already hypnotized you, and now you're under his control."

Zane tilted his head. "Or he's wrapped you in a constricting grip."

Kai leaned forward, smirking. "Or worse—he's spit hallucinatory venom right in your face. Trust me, bad stuff."

Jinx, standing off to the side, rolled his eyes. "Yes, Kai, we know you got hit. Can you shut up about it?"

Lloyd groaned, running a hand through his messy blond hair. "Ugh. Uncle, what's the best way to stun a Serpentine if you don't know what kind they are?"

Wu, standing calmly with his hands folded behind his back, sighed. "Sadly, the most effective method was the Sacred Flute—something you four carelessly lost."

Jay raised a hand defensively. "Hey, no, no, no—we didn't lose it. Pythor stole it."

Wu's expression remained impassive. "Whatever the case, without it, I fear we have nothing to combat their powers. We may have prevented them from uniting once, but they will try again. And when they do, they will be stronger."

Cole scoffed. "Don't worry about it. I've almost reached my Full Potential, and when I become the Green Ninja, we won't need any magic flute."

Kai burst out laughing. "You? The Green Ninja? Ha! Don't make me laugh."

Zane frowned slightly. "I was under the impression that I was destined to become the Green Ninja."

Jay waved a hand. "Oh, please. The only thing destined about you, Zane, is that you're weird."

What started as playful banter quickly escalated into a full-blown argument. The ninja squared off against each other, voices overlapping in a chaotic clash of claims and taunts.

Jinx, standing at the edge of the deck, let out a long, exhausted sigh. His patience had officially run out.

Without a word, he stepped forward and spun into a blur of purple energy. The force of his Spinjitzu sent a controlled shockwave across the deck, slamming into the arguing ninja and knocking them clean off their feet.

The impact sent them sprawling, groaning as they hit the wooden planks.

Jinx crossed his arms. "Are you done acting like children?"

A collective groan of pain was his only response.

Lloyd leaned forward eagerly, his green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. But more importantly—what's in the box?"

Sensei Wu set the parcel down with a knowing smile, carefully untying the string. "Your new uniforms."

The ninja gasped in awe as Wu unfolded the sleek new outfits, the fabric shimmering under the deck's lanterns.

"Whoa!" Jay breathed, running a hand over the smooth material. "They've got, like, armor."

Kai's face lit up as he traced the golden highlights. "I love the accents. Stylish and intimidating."

Cole flexed his fingers, testing the grip of the clawed gauntlets. "Battle claws. Nice."

Zane examined the weave of the fabric, intrigued. "The material is incredibly light and breathable. Optimized for agility."

Lloyd leaned closer, waiting for his turn. His grin faltered as he peered inside the now-empty box. "Oh. Nothing for me?"

Wu gave an awkward cough, then patted the side of the box. "Uh... you get, um... the box."

Before Lloyd could protest, a loud alarm blared across the deck, cutting through the excitement.

Cole straightened, scanning the incoming distress signal. "Sorry to break up the moment, but it looks like a small faction of our slithery friends are stirring up trouble at Mega Monster Amusement Park."

Lloyd perked up instantly. "An amusement park? Can I go? Please? Let me make it up to you. I can help!"

Wu shook his head firmly. "I'm sorry, nephew. You will stay here, where it's safe."

Lloyd groaned, crossing his arms. "Oh, sure. Ninja get all the fun."

Jinx, standing behind him, smirked before subtly slipping the latest issue of Starfarer into Lloyd's hands. The boy's face lit up as he hugged Jinx in gratitude. As he pulled away, Jinx discreetly passed him a folded note. Lloyd quickly unfolded it, eyes scanning the words:

"We'll go later—king-size candy bar included."

Lloyd beamed, stuffing the note into his pocket before sprinting off happily. Wu, who had quietly observed the exchange, gave Jinx a small nod of appreciation.

Jay grinned, stretching out his arms. "So, what do you say, guys? Time to try out the new merchandise?"

Cole cracked his knuckles. "This new gear feels like it'll really protect us."

Zane adjusted his collar. "Yet, it still allows for greater mobility."

Jay rolled his eyes. "You wanna strut your stuff on the catwalk, or are we actually gonna hit that amusement park and maybe—just maybe—go on some rides?"

Kai smirked. "I love a good old-fashioned roller coaster, but nothing beats this."

The ninja leapt off the Destiny's Bounty, activating their vehicles mid-air before landing with practiced ease. As they posed dramatically in their new uniforms, they expected gasps of awe.

Instead, they were met with an already-cheering crowd.

"Haha! Check that out! And not a scratch on me!" Cole said triumphantly—until he noticed the people weren't cheering for them.

"Uh… what just happened?" Kai asked, his grin faltering.

A nearby woman turned toward them, still starry-eyed from the spectacle she had just witnessed. "Oh, you totally missed it! There were, like, icky snakes everywhere, and then this mysterious Samurai came in and saved everyone!"

Another woman sighed dreamily. "He was, like, gorgeous."

Kai frowned. "Wait. You saw his face?"

"No, but we could totally tell."

Jay blinked in disbelief. "Wait a minute—Nya? What are you doing here?"

Nya smirked, arms crossed. "Yeah, you guys just missed all the action. The Samurai swooped in, took care of business, and vanished. It was… pretty cool." She turned on her heel and walked off, leaving the ninja dumbfounded.

A young boy bounced excitedly on his heels. "I don't wanna be a ninja anymore—I wanna be a Samurai!"

A nearby man nodded. "Yeah, that Samurai is my new hero."

Another scoffed. "I knew the Samurai could kick the ninja's butts!"

Kai's eye twitched. "Ugh. Who is this guy?"

Jinx, standing next to him, hummed in amusement before glancing toward Nya. "Why does it have to be a guy?" he muttered pointedly.

Nya stiffened. "W-What are you talking about, Jinx?"

Jinx smirked. "Nothing at all."

Cole exhaled through his nose. "Whoever this Samurai is, they're stealing our thunder."

Jay groaned dramatically. "And we just got these awesome new ninja suits! Argh! I'm just gonna say it—I hate Samurai."

A familiar voice interrupted from behind them.

"Do I hear a hint of jealousy?"

The ninja turned to find Wu standing there, casually enjoying a stick of cotton candy.

Jay narrowed his eyes. "Wait—how did you get here so fast?"

Wu took another bite, chewing thoughtfully before responding. "Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned."

Jay groaned. "Oh, great. Not another lesson."

Zane tilted his head. "I do not follow, Sensei."

Wu smiled. "Iron sharpens iron."

The ninja exchanged confused glances.

"Healthy competition can help you reach your True Potential faster. Do not be jealous of this Samurai—let it inspire you." Wu gestured toward the Ferris wheel. "Now, if you'll excuse me… Ferris wheels are delightful. Jinx, Nya, come along."

Jinx and Nya exchanged a brief glance before nodding and following their sensei, leaving the ninja standing there—frustrated, confused, and ever so slightly humbled.

Jay crossed his arms, frowning. "Inspire?"

Kai stroked his chin, suddenly thoughtful. "Wait a minute… Maybe the old man's right."

Cole raised an eyebrow. "You want us to compete with the Samurai? He's got all those high-tech gadgets. We don't stand a chance."

Kai smirked. "No, not with him—with us. I say we turn this into our own competition. Whoever's skilled enough to catch this mysterious Samurai proves they're the best of the bunch."

Jay's face lit up. "So, whoever unmasks the Samurai first is the one destined to become the Green Ninja? Ha! I love it!"

Cole grinned. "Then it's a bet. May the Green Ninja win."

All at once, the four of them nodded.

"Ninja, go!"

Before they could leap into action, the Destiny's Bounty's alarm blared through the ship.

Nya's voice rang out from the control panel. "Multiple snake sightings! They're everywhere!"

Zane sprinted toward the commotion, only to skid to a halt as he spotted a familiar figure battling the Serpentine—the Samurai.

Zane narrowed his eyes and quickly formed a snowball in his palm. "Metal menace!" He hurled it with precision—but missed.

The Samurai X Mech moved too quickly, dodging with ease before taking off again.

Meanwhile, in the Forest of Tranquility, Kai encountered a group of three Constrictai terrorizing the area.

A group of girls cheered excitedly from the sidelines. "Go, ninja, go!"

Before Kai could react, the Samurai leapt in from above, throwing a large net over the Serpentine.

The girls gasped. "Oh, Samurai, oh!"

Kai scowled. "Ninja, go!" He lunged—only to find himself ensnared in another net.

"Aah! Hey! What's going on?!" he yelled, struggling against the binds.

Elsewhere, Cole thought he finally had the Samurai in his sights.

"Now I've got you!" He lunged forward, determined—only to misstep and fall flat on his back.

The Samurai disappeared once again.

Jay, ever the showman, had concocted a brilliant plan—or so he thought. Dressed in a frilly dress, a blonde wig perched awkwardly atop his head, he laid dramatically across the train tracks.

In an exaggerated high-pitched voice, he wailed, "Oh, help! Samurai, where are you? Oh!"

The train's whistle blew in the distance, growing closer.

At the last moment, the Samurai X Mech appeared, holding a set of train tracks. With expert precision, it laid down new rails, allowing the train to pass safely over Jay.

Jay gawked, still sprawled on the tracks as the mech placed its hands on its hips in triumph before taking off again.

Jay groaned, tossing his wig aside. "Gah! STUPID SAMURAI!"

Kai, meanwhile, had another mission—babysitting duty. He pulled up outside the Kiddie Arcade and handed Lloyd a handful of coins.

"Okay, I know it's my turn to look after you, but just play a few games and stay put while I look around. I have a feeling the Samurai may show up."

Lloyd pouted. "Oh, come on, at least drop me off at a decent arcade."

Kai scoffed. "Sorry, shorty." With that, he revved his bike and sped off.

Lloyd sighed, rolling his eyes as he turned toward the arcade—when suddenly, hushed voices caught his attention.

Nearby, Skales and Fang-Suei stood whispering.

"I hear he found it. Everyone's gathering again."

Fang-Suei scoffed. "Impossible. The Lost City doesn't exist."

Skales chuckled darkly. "Well, it isn't lost anymore. And I heard there's gonna be a fight."

Fang-Suei grinned. "A fight? Count me in."

Skales gestured toward a nearby bus. "All aboard. Next stop—Ouroboros."

Lloyd's eyes widened. The Lost City?

Quickly, he spotted a merchant selling Serpentine disguises. In no time, he was covered in fake scales and slithering onto the bus with the others.

As he took his seat, Skales turned to him.

"Hey, you—hold it there."

Lloyd froze. Oh no. Did they recognize me?

Skales smirked. "Last one in closes the door."

Lloyd let out a silent breath of relief. "Uh, sure thing." He quickly shut the doors as the bus took off into the desert.

For an entire day, they traveled through the endless sands before finally arriving at their destination—the Lost City of Ouroboros.

At the heart of the city, in front of a massive statue of the Great Devourer, Pythor stood tall, addressing the gathered Serpentine.

"I bring you here to speak of unity," he declared.

Bytar crossed his arms. "Where are the fights?"

Spitta sneered. "Yeah, where's the big show?"

The crowd began to chant. "Slither Pit! Slither Pit! Slither Pit!"

Pythor's eyes darkened. "Argh! You want a show? You want to see a fight?" He raised his voice, silencing the crowd.

"I ask for your allegiance, but you will not give it. So I will take it."

Fangtom narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"

Pythor grinned sinisterly. "I challenge the four tribe Generals for their staffs and their loyalty—at once!"

Acidicus hissed. "I fought hard for this staff. I will not give it up easily."

Skalidor scoffed. "There's no way you can defeat the four of us at once."

But Skales had other plans. Casually, he tossed something small and glinting to Pythor—the Sacred Flute.

Pythor caught it, smirking. Then, without hesitation, he played.

A terrible, high-pitched note rang out.

The Generals clutched their heads in agony.

"My ears!" Skalidor roared.

"It hurts!" Acidicus howled.

One by one, the Generals collapsed, their staffs slipping from their grasp. Pythor picked them up triumphantly, raising them above his head.

"Bow to your master. Bow to your master, Serpentine!"

As the Serpentine all lowered their heads in submission, Lloyd nervously tried to follow suit—only for his fake rattles to slip and clatter to the ground.

Mezmo's eyes snapped to him.

"Where do you think you're going?" He grabbed Lloyd roughly.

Pythor turned slowly, his red eyes gleaming.

"Lloyd?"

Lloyd gulped. Oh, this is bad.

The next day, the ninja and Nya soared above the land in the Destiny's Bounty.

Cole groaned. "Trying to figure out the Samurai's identity is more of a pain than fighting snakes."

Jay crossed his arms. "The guy's like a ghost. One second he's there, the next he's gone."

Zane nodded. "I am beginning to believe we may never catch him."

Kai sighed. "At this rate, none of us are proving we're the Green Ninja."

Wu entered the room, observing them with a small smile. "Looks like iron is sharpening iron. You are getting closer to your True Potential." He placed a hand on Cole's arm.

"Ow!" Cole winced.

Wu's expression suddenly darkened. "Where is my nephew?"

Kai blinked. "I thought Cole was gonna pick him up?"

Cole frowned. "I went to the arcade, but he wasn't there."

Wu's eyes narrowed. "We must find the boy—immediately."

Before anyone could react, Jinx stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

"But first—" he said darkly.

With a swift movement, dark energy engulfed his hands as he lunged at Kai.

"Hey, what—AHH!" Kai yelled as Jinx began mercilessly beating him.

The others made a move to help—but Wu held up a hand.

"No, no. Let them. This is Kai's next lesson—responsibility."

The ninja watched in stunned silence as Kai got absolutely wrecked.

The ninja arrived near the Kiddie Arcade, their bikes screeching to a stop.

Kai jumped off first, scanning the area. "Lloyd? Lloyd?! He was right here! Someone must have seen him."

Cole's eyes landed on a security camera mounted on the building's corner. He pointed. "Hey, guys. Check this out."

They gathered around the small monitor as Cole rewound the footage.

Jay squinted. "Wait, wait—there he is! Play that back."

The screen showed Lloyd sneaking off, purchasing a Serpentine disguise, then slipping away unnoticed.

Jay threw up his hands. "What is that little pipsqueak up to now?"

They followed Lloyd's last known location, but Zane suddenly stopped, kneeling. He pressed his hand lightly against the dirt.

"I sense these are Lloyd's footprints… but they come to an end here." His brow furrowed. "Why?"

Kai frowned, then looked toward the road leading into the vast desert. "Something tells me we're going for a ride." He hopped back on his bike, revving the engine. "Come on, boys."

The others nodded and took off after him.

As the desert stretched endlessly before them, the landscape slowly shifted. Towering ruins, serpent-like statues, and crumbling walls loomed ahead.

Cole's eyes widened. "What is that place?"

Jay adjusted his goggles. "Looks like Snake City."

Kai's jaw clenched. "Let's get a closer look."

The ninja crouched behind a rock formation, peering over the edge at the Lost City of Ouroboros. Serpentine of every tribe gathered below, their hissing voices echoing through the ruins.

Zane observed the mass of warriors. "It appears Pythor has successfully united all the tribes."

Cole smirked. "I know we crashed their last get-together, but come on—not even an invitation? My feelings are hurt."

Kai's expression darkened. His eyes locked onto a cage suspended in the center of the city. Inside—was Lloyd.

"There's Lloyd."

Jay let out a low whistle. "Whoa. And check out who they're worshipping."

Carved into the city's heart was a monstrous statue of a coiled serpent, its mouth open wide in a vicious snarl.

Cole crossed his arms. "Let me guess: the Great Devourer."

Kai clenched his fists. "All the more reason to get Lloyd out of there. This ends today."

Without hesitation, they leaped down, moving swiftly through the ruins.

Just as they neared Lloyd's cage, the ground beneath them suddenly shifted.

Kai barely had time to react before the floor collapsed beneath them, sending them plummeting into a dark underground chamber.

"A trap!" Jay shouted as they hit the ground hard. Their Golden Weapons slipped from their grip, clattering across the stone floor.

Above them, eerie laughter echoed.

From the shadows, Jinx emerged. His figure flickered unnaturally, dark energy crackling around him. His red eyes gleamed with twisted delight.

"Oh, there you are." His voice was smooth, almost amused. He stepped forward slowly, his presence suffocating. "I was only going to injure you before… but now? Now I think I'm going to make you hurt."

The ninja scrambled to recover, but before they could react, Jinx vanished—melting into the darkness.

Cole's heart pounded. "Uh… where did he go?"

Kai gritted his teeth. "Stay sharp, guys. He's still here."

The shadows around them shifted, whispering their names.

And then—the real fight began.

---------------

Lloyd gasped, his hands gripping the cold metal bars of the cage. His green eyes widened in shock.

"The ninja!"

Below him, the Serpentine warriors cheered wildly as Pythor strutted forward, arms outstretched like a showman before an eager crowd. He grinned, his fangs glinting under the torchlight.

"Looks like we've caught the main event!" he cackled.

The crowd erupted in hisses and jeers as the ninja were dragged into the arena, their wrists bound tightly with thick ropes. Dust swirled around them as they were shoved onto the cracked stone floor, the looming statue of the Great Devourer casting an ominous shadow over them.

Jay swallowed hard. "Main event? What do you think he meant by 'main event'?"

Kai groaned. "I have a feeling we're the main event."

Cole nudged Kai with his elbow. "Or the main course."

Zane, ever the logical one, nodded grimly. "Kai, you may be right. Things really may come to an end today."

Jay tried to force a chuckle. "Uh… don't worry! The Samurai could still show up and save us."

Pythor clapped his hands together, silencing the audience. "You said you wanted a battle, and I shall give you one!" He extended a long, clawed hand toward the gates at the opposite end of the arena.

With a loud clang, the iron doors creaked open.

"I present… Ninja vs. Samurai!"

A figure stepped forward, shackled in heavy chains, the bright red and silver armor instantly recognizable.

Samurai X.

Jay's jaw dropped. "What?! We have to fight the Samurai?!" He glanced at their empty hands. "But we don't even have our Golden Weapons, and he has that hulking thing of armor! That's not fair!"

Pythor grinned wickedly. "I want to see, once and for all, who is the greater hero. Will it be the Samurai—or the Ninja? Only the victor will be allowed to leave!"

Kai's stance tightened. "Stay together!"

Zane's eyes flickered with an idea. "Perhaps he can join our team and we can fight our way out. After all, he despises the Serpentine too—"

Before he could finish, Samurai X charged.

Cole barely dodged as a blade swung past his face. He staggered back. "Scratch that. He is not on our team!"

Jay ducked another attack, smirking. "Haha! Missed me!"

The next second, a metallic fist slammed into his stomach.

"Gah!" Jay crumpled to the ground, wheezing. "He didn't miss me."

Zane called out. "We must use the Tornado of Creation!"

The ninja quickly took their stances as dust spiraled around them.

"Earth!" Cole slammed his fists into the ground, shaking the arena.

"Fire!" Kai spun, flames igniting at his fingertips.

"Ice!" Zane's hands glowed with freezing energy.

"Lightning!" Jay recovered, electricity crackling at his palms.

Together, they leaped into the air.

"Ninja—GO!"

A whirlwind of elemental energy burst from the ground, shaking the arena as it surged toward Samurai X.

From the stands, a small Constrictai snake, Bytar, whined, dropping his lollipop. "Hey, wait!"

But just as the elemental tornado struck, Samurai X lifted his armored shield, deflecting the attack with an earth-shattering clang. The ninja skidded back, stunned.

Jay clenched his fists. "Argh! Why can't anyone play fair?!"

Pythor sneered and pulled a lever.

Spikes shot up from the arena floor.

Kai barely managed to leap aside, landing in a crouch. "This is getting ridiculous!"

Before they could react, Pythor tilted the entire arena.

Cole flailed as the ground shifted beneath them. "Can this get any worse?!"

Suddenly, Samurai X's voice rang out through a hidden speaker in his helmet.

"We must make it appear that we are fighting for real."

Jay blinked. "Huh? We're not fighting for real?"

"Keep up the charade and hold onto my exo-suit!" Samurai X ordered.

The ninja barely had time to react before the exo-suit blasted into the air.

Kai clung to the side, gritting his teeth. "There's too much weight!"

Without warning, Samurai X jumped out.

The mech shot skyward, leaving them behind.

Cole gawked. "I can't believe he just saved us."

Kai scowled. "He stole our thunder again!"

Jay screamed into the wind. "ARGH!! I HATE THAT SAMURAI!!!"

Below, Lloyd scrambled in his cage. "Go, ninja, go!"

Pythor snarled. "Get him!"

Meanwhile, Samurai X activated a magnetizer, effortlessly snatching the Golden Weapons before vanishing into the night.

The mech crash-landed in the desert, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Kai groaned, rubbing his head as he sat up. "Guys?" He blinked as he spotted a lone figure ahead. The Samurai.

The armored figure staggered from the wreckage, removing their helmet.

Kai's breath caught in his throat.

"Nya?"

His sister turned, helmet tucked under her arm. Her face was partially hidden beneath windswept strands of hair.

"Steer clear, Ninja." She hesitated. "Don't look—" She sighed, then straightened, meeting his gaze. "—at me."

Kai stood frozen. His voice was barely a whisper. "You're the Samurai?"

Nya exhaled. "It was always a boy's club. You never let me try to help, so I found my own way to be a hero." She looked away. "Are you mad?"

Kai blinked, then chuckled. "Mad? Nya, all this time, I've been trying to protect you… but you never needed it." His smile widened. "You're amazing."

Nya grinned, punching his arm. "Girl power."

Kai laughed. Then his face fell. "You're not gonna tell the others, are you?"

Nya smirked. "What do you think?"

Kai sighed. "We had a bet. Whoever caught the Samurai would be the Green—" He shook his head. "Of course, I won't say anything. But… how did you build all of this?"

Nya shrugged. "You'd be surprised how much free time I have while waiting for you guys to return from your missions."

Kai hesitated. "Just… be careful, okay?"

Nya smirked. "Promise." She handed him the Golden Weapons. "Now get going before they suspect anything."

The ninja finally returned to the Bounty, exhausted.

Kai grinned. "So there I was, face-to-face with the Samurai. He was all mysterious, never said a word. Then—poof—he handed me the Golden Weapons and vanished."

Cole frowned. "Poof? He just poofed?"

Jay crossed his arms. "Wait a minute. If he had the most powerful weapons in the world… why would he just give them back?"

Kai shrugged, forcing a smirk. "Maybe he's not so bad after all."

Zane nodded. "I sense this means the bet is off."

Wu, however, remained solemn. "More importantly, my nephew has found his way into the den of all snakes. There may be no way of rescuing him now."

Kai's eyes burned with determination. "Sensei, there's always a way."

Cole grinned. "And we'll find it."

Jay: has any one

Jay, still brushing his teeth, suddenly paused. He glanced around the room, a confused expression settling on his face. "Hey, has anyone seen Jinx?"

Kai furrowed his brows. "Now that I think about it… not since we got caught."

Before anyone could respond, a hand tapped Jay's shoulder.

"GAH!"

Jay jumped nearly three feet into the air, letting out a scream that was anything but dignified. The other ninja spun around, startled—even Sensei Wu flinched.

Jinx stood behind them, arms crossed, a sly smirk playing on their lips.

Zane exhaled, placing a hand over his chest. "Huff… where have you been, Jinx?"

Jinx's grin widened. "Oh, you know… just getting some payback."

The room fell silent.

Cole blinked. "Wait—what?!"

(Flashback: Earlier, After the Ninja Were Captured)

As the ninja were dragged away, the sky above the City of Ouroboros began to shift. Thick, dark clouds rolled in, covering the moon and shrouding the ruins in shadow. A chilling wind howled through the stone corridors, rattling banners and causing the torches to flicker.

Jinx, who had managed to slip into the shadows before they were caught, remained hidden, watching.

Their gaze followed as Pythor paraded the captured ninja into the arena, his voice echoing through the city, riling up the Serpentine army.

"Looks like we've caught the main event!"

Jinx's golden eyes narrowed.

"Oh, you're gonna regret that, snake."

Moving like a ghost, Jinx disappeared into the night.

As the Bounty disappeared into the horizon, carrying the ninja and the Samurai to safety, a deep silence settled over the City of Ouroboros.

Pythor stood atop the ruined balcony, arms crossed in irritation. His crimson eyes glowed in the dim torchlight as he turned to a group of Serpentine warriors.

"Take the boy away," he ordered coldly, gesturing to Lloyd's cage.

The Serpentine moved in, hissing in amusement as they unlocked the cage. Lloyd struggled, but their grips were firm.

Before they could take a single step—

BOOM.

The sky split apart.

Dark clouds swirled above the city, thickening unnaturally fast, as though something far greater than a storm had awakened. A wave of pressure crashed down, making the air feel heavier.

Suddenly, a jagged streak of dark purple lightning ripped through the clouds, illuminating the city in an eerie, flickering glow.

The Serpentine froze.

Then, the ground trembled.

A massive shadow stretched over the city, its shape distorting as it loomed over the tallest statues of the Serpentine gods. A low, guttural growl rumbled through the air, reverberating through the stone buildings and into the very bones of every snake present.

Then, it stepped into view.

A colossal creature—four-legged, with multiple twisting limbs branching from each one—crawled over the outer walls of Ouroboros like a nightmare given form. Its entire body pulsed with swirling darkness, shifting like liquid shadow. The void-like substance dripped from its body, devouring everything it touched into nothingness.

Its eyes—dozens of them, glowing a sickly violet—snapped open all at once.

Skales' entire body stiffened, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks.

"What the hell issss that?!" he shouted in sheer panic.

Acidicus turned, his usually calm demeanor shattered as he took a step back.

"R-RUN!"

A horrific screech echoed through the city as the creature moved, its many limbs twisting unnaturally as it crawled forward with a speed that should've been impossible for something so large.

Pythor's smug grin vanished.

Lloyd, still in the Serpentine's grip, stared in horror.

"You fools!" Pythor roared, his voice no longer commanding, but laced with fear. "Don't just stand there—FIGHT!"

The Serpentine scattered, weapons drawn—but what could steel do against something made of pure shadow?

The beast lunged.

The city of Ouroboros was about to learn what it meant to anger the darkness.

As the chaos in Ouroboros unfolded, Jinx remained in the heart of the monster, his presence a twisted command over the creature's every movement. His mind connected with the beast's, guiding its limbs, shaping its nightmarish form. From the darkness, the creature obeyed, its many limbs stretching out, each one like a coiling shadow seeking its prey.

With a single thought, Jinx directed the monster's monstrous appendages toward the Serpentine warriors, their panicked shouts falling silent under the weight of his power.

The limbs, like serpentine tendrils, shot out with incredible speed, each one grabbing hold of a different warrior from the four tribes. One by one, they were hoisted into the air, struggling helplessly in the grip of the shadowy limbs. Their cries were quickly drowned out as the creature's dark power seeped into their bodies, a sinister, corrupting force draining their life.

The Serpentine's scales, once brightly colored, began to shift. Their vibrant hues turned to an eerie, unnatural black, the color of corruption itself. Their eyes, once glowing with the fierceness of their heritage, became dark pools of void. The transformation was swift and brutal, each of them succumbing to the creature's power as it drained them of their life force.

The darkness was alive, crawling through their veins, turning them into twisted, shadowed versions of their former selves. Their bodies were no longer their own. They were now instruments of the darkness—creatures of Jinx's will.

Lloyd, who had been captured and dragged away by the Serpentine, watched in horror as his enemies were transformed before his eyes. His heart raced, unable to tear his gaze away from the monstrous sight before him. The creature, Jinx's creation, stood tall and terrifying, and its power was growing.

Within the head of the beast, Jinx's golden eyes flickered with satisfaction. He could feel the life force of the Serpentine warriors being absorbed into the void. Each one that fell made the creature stronger, more formidable. His control over the monster was absolute, and with each drain of power, his grip on the city tightened.

The remaining Serpentine, those lucky enough to have avoided the initial strike, scrambled in terror, but it was too late. Their comrades, turned into living shadows, began to rise again—eyes glowing with the same sickly violet light that Jinx's creation possessed. They moved with a mindless, corrupted aggression, now fully under Jinx's command.

"Fools," Jinx whispered to himself, watching the Serpentine's new form. "You thought you could challenge me, but now… you belong to the darkness."

The ground trembled beneath the weight of his creation as it shifted again, its many limbs reaching out for more, hungering for more of the Serpentine's life.

Jinx's dark purple eyes scanned the ruins of Ouroboros, the chaos of the battle settling into an eerie silence. The streets were littered with debris, the once-proud city now reduced to a shadow of its former self. The air, thick with the remnants of destruction, hung heavy as the corrupted Serpentine, now mere husks of their former selves, roamed aimlessly. The beast he had created, a creature of pure darkness, had vanished into the night, its twisted form dissipating like smoke in the wind.

But there was something missing.

Lloyd.

Jinx's gaze flickered over the broken city, his eyes narrowing. The ninja had been here, but now… there was no sign of him. The boy had somehow slipped away during the chaos, perhaps taken somewhere by those who still had a chance to escape the creature's wrath.

Jinx's jaw tightened. Not yet, he thought. I'll find you, Lloyd.

With a wave of his hand, the remaining limbs of his monster retracted, the shadowy creature dissolving into the air, leaving only the faintest trace of its power behind. The dark clouds that had once swirled above the city began to fade, the moonlight slowly returning to its rightful place. The night sky cleared as if nothing had ever happened, and the storm of darkness lifted, leaving a haunting calm.

(flashback end)

Jinx: just some good old fashion payback.