Brother of Wind {book 4: The Tournament of Elements}

chapter 3

Every elemental master was at the front of the decks, watching the island as they approached.

"Look at that." Cole said pointing time a temple just by the bay.
"Awesome." Kai said.

"Let me see." Karlof said pushing Kai aside.
"Do you mind?!" Kai yelled. The two got into another fighting stance but were stopped by the chants of people in red hoods practicing their fighting forms.

"Welcome to Chen's island." Clouse said walking off the ferry.
"The Tournament of Elements welcomes its brave fighters. Master Chen will be pleased you've returned, Sensei Garmadon." He said as Lloyd's father walked off the boat.

"The pleasure is all mine, Clouse." Garmadon said.
"I'm sure it is." Clouse walked off.

"Definitely feeling some tension between you two." Jay said.
"Yeah, and how is it we're on an island I've never seen on any map?" Kai asked.
"And care to explain how the face to Ninjago's most popular noodle house is secretly assembling an underground fighting tournament?" Cole added.

"Master Chen used to be a friend. Now he's a traitor." Garmadon said.
"During the Serpentine Wars, Chen turned against his own kind and sided with the treacherous snakes."

"The battle you and Uncle Wu fought together in? He was an enemy?" Lloyd asked.
"He used deception to divide the Elemental Masters. We barely defeated the Serpentine, and in a deal for his surrender, Chen was to never leave this island. Little did we know, he'd begin to build his criminal empire from here." Garmadon said.

"Chen may have divided our ancestors, but he's not gonna divide us." Lloyd said. They walked up the steps to the temple when Kai looked back. He saw the girl again. Kai stepped in front of the group, stopping them and making room for the girl to walk.

"Uh... Ladies first." Kai said as she walked by.
"Fire will melt her icy heart. Just wait." Kai smirked.
"Kai, I'm so close to hitting you right now." Morro said.

The ninja moved forwards to the group of fighters as Clouse opened the grand door.
"This is a big island. Zane could be anywhere. Keep an eye out." Cole said.

The fighters moved through the court yard as more men in red clothing played on taiko drums.
"So this is the house that noodles built. Ha! Always wanted to go to a red carpet event." Jay laughed.
"Chen lives like a king. Here, he's totally self-sufficient. The only way on or off this island is with his permission, which you have to earn." Garmadon explained.

The ninja gazed at the large temple in front of them. A large Japanese style building. Morro looked up and saw something shine from the roof. He took note.

"You never told me about this place. And neither did you!" Lloyd pointed at Morro.
"How come you never tell us anything?" Cole looked at Morro.
"Well, you never ask me." Morro replied.
"All in favor of asking Morro the questions from now on?" Jay asked the others.
"How do you know so much about this island, dad?" Lloyd asked.

"Because before Chen was my enemy, he was my Sensei." Garmadon pulled back some of his clothing and revealed a purple anacondrai tattoo on his left shoulder.

The fighters had gathered in the main hall and sat along the side in almost a circle.
"You never told me you had a Sensei." Lloyd said sitting next to his father.
"When I was your age, I sought a darker means of guidance." Garmadon said.
"He taught me to win at all cost, no matter who I hurt. It wasn't until you saved me that I saw the light."

"Uh, apparently he also never taught you to have a sense of humor. Lighten up, we're in an underground fight club. This is supposed to be fun." Jay nudged Garmadon.