In the Temple of Airjitzu, Wu sips his tea. "Ah. Another cup please, Misako."
"Okay, but drink it slower this time. Healing Tea doesn't work on a burnt tongue." He drinks the tea. "Sip! You are quite impatient."
"The same could be said of them."
"Okay, Master Wu, you've had your tea. Now can we talk?" Cole asked
"Ask any question you wish." Master Wu replied
"Who did we fight in the monastery?" Cole questioned
"That was Acronix." Zane answers
"From the painting?" Kai pondered
"Twins look alike!" Lloyd exclaimed
"Or was it Krux?" Nya asked
"Definitely Acronix." I said glancing at her
"Is he from the future?" Zane brought up
"How does he speed up time like that?" Kai spoke
"Was he from the past?" Cole questioned
"Who ate my pudding cup?" Jay shouted as we all stare at him. "What? He said ask any question. I put my name on this. Just because we're in a new dojo doesn't mean we disobey the refrigerator rules!" We stare at him again. "Right. Sorry. Guy in monastery. What's his story?"
"Well, to answer that, I must begin at the end. It was forty years ago, shortly after the Serpentine Wars. When I was a much younger man. As you know, we fought valiantly, but our enemies were strong, and our powers alone were not enough. It was the discovery of the magic flutes that allowed us to finally defeat the Anacondrai. Their leaders were banished. And peace was returned to Ninjago."
"Hold on a sec. So that guy at the monastery is an actual Elemental Master of Time?" Cole wondered out loud
"No. Acronix was an Elemental Master of Time, like his brother, Krux." Master Wu sips his tea. "After helping us win our hard-fought peace, they betrayed me, Garmadon, and the others. The so-called Hands of Time felt they controlled the most powerful Element, therefore entitling them to rule all of Ninjago."
"What did you do?" I asked slowly
"We had to stop them. And it would take all of us. Garmadon, myself, and every Elemental Master." Master Wu explained
"Even our parents?" Kai put in
"Of course. Kai, Nya, your mother and father were great fighters, but it appeared even they had met their match. Acronix was a skilled warrior, one of the best I've ever seen, but his real power was his ability to control the forward movement of time. By sending himself forward, he was always ahead of the action, as if he had super speed. However, a slow progression can be just as dangerous. Different power, but equally effective. One Master of Time was bad enough, but like the hands on a clock, there were two. Krux's power was the opposite of his brother's. He could reverse time. It's a huge advantage in combat. Know your opponent's next move, know how to counter it. He could even control time to the point of halting it. Of course, he didn't halt himself. We knew we had to prepare. Fearing that next time, we would not be so lucky." Sensei answered
"You said the Hands of Time were unbeatable, yet you beat them. How?" Lloyd asked
"The way one often defeats an enemy—by taking away their weapon." Master Wu responded
"I thought it was to make them your friend." I remarked whispering to Cole who snickered remembering that lesson
"But their weapon was Time." Zane spoke up
"Indeed." Sensei acknowledged "Our only hope was four blades, hastily forged from Chronosteel...the Time Blades. Chronosteel is the only metal that can absorb Elemental Energy. Stripped of their powers, Acronix and Krux were just two ordinary men, easily subdued. But the ability to control time is too great for anyone to possess. Garmadon and I knew the Time Blades themselves were a threat that had to be eliminated. Forever. We created a temporal vortex to dispatch the Blades in time, where they would be lost to the ages. But Acronix and Krux refused to admit defeat. They thought they were more powerful than time itself."
"So, what happened to them?" Cole questioned
"Krux disappeared into time itself, and I knew Acronix was going to return yesterday, so I waited. He was the remaining loose end to tie. Now he is no more."
"You mean, like, permanently?" Lloyd asked unsure
"Never my intent, but it was his fate. Now Acronix is gone forever, along with that Time Blade. It took four decades, but the Hands of Time will never again threaten Ninjago." Misako helps him to a couch.
"Oh, one question. How did you know Acronix was going to return to the monastery at that exact moment?" I piped up
"Why didn't you ask for our help?" Jay put in also
"How many Elemental Masters were there?" Zane added
"Can we make Time Blades?" Cole wondered
"Our parents, you said they were there." Kai stated as Master Wu falls asleep.
"No more questions for today. Your Master fought a powerful enemy. He needs time to recuperate." Misako pushed us out of the room
"Hey, I just realized...the mural we saw at the museum. That must be the battle Wu just told us about." Cole brought up
"But Dr. Saunders said the Hands of Time were a myth." I answered
"History is art, not science. Even an expert such as Dr. Saunders can be mistaken from time to time." Zane informed
"Ha! True that! Know how I know? 'Cause Acronix was a so-called myth, and we totally busted him! Haha!" Jay laughed
"Yeah! Hahaha! Except now, there's nothing to do." Kai frowned
"Hm. The temple still needs unpacking." Lloyd took to notice
Cole sighs. "Lloyd's right."
"I know I'm right." Lloyd replied in a rude manner, making me give him a look
"Ugh. Kinda wish we hadn't busted him. Hey, Nya. Wanna hang out?" Jay asked while I grabbed Lloyd's arm dragging him away
"Why are you being rude to Cole ever since the Day of the Departed you've been acting like a brat."
Lloyd eyes went wide in shock then to anger. "A brat?! What about you?!"
"Lloyd come on I'm not the one going around and giving dirty looks?!"
"Ugh! You always go places with him like Chen's Noodlehouse. Why don't we ever do that?" Lloyd put me on the spot
"Why don't you ever ask?" I shot back
"I did Y/n." Lloyd responded sighing
"You did?" I asked slowly
"Yes but you didn't even spend the rest of the Day of the Departed with me." Lloyd said looking down. "We were supposed to light a lantern for father. Together."
"I know but Cole just turned human again. Then Lou invited me over for dinner after he sang, I couldn't say no. I thought you understood that." I trailed off
"Whatever. I have to speak with Uncle." Lloyd brushed it off walking away. What am I gonna do? I look at Cole lifting boxes then to Master Wu's room where Lloyd was.
***
We reached outside the Borg Store. Apparently someone was causing a scene here.
"Is that Dareth? Maybe he'll—" Kai was cut off by Dareth screaming and getting launched into the air. "Aah! Sup? I roughed him up for you. But feel free to finish the guy off."
"Hey, Zane. You still have those dice?" Kai smirked as Zane nodded. "I have virtual ones."
He paused then we heard P.I.X.A.L.: "Kai."
"Yeah! Haha!" He exclaimed jumping in the air
"Wait! Aren't you gonna draw your sword?" Nya asked as Kai ran in the store. "I'm good, sis. Okay, I don't wanna brag, but the other day, I helped stop, like, an Elemental Master of Time, so I think I can handle one lousy sa—" The warrior punches him out of the store. "Who's next?" Kai groaned on the floor
"Zane." P.I.X.A.L. stated
"Aw, come on. That was totally rigged! We didn't even see the roll!" Lloyd called as Zane ran into the store to be thrown out immediately
"Hang on, guys. There's something I've been wanting to try again." Cole replied
"Oh, what, that Earth Punch thing? Like it worked so well last time." Jay spoke with sarcasm
Cole's arms turn orange as the Samuri walks out Cole punches him. "No problem." It turned into a bunch of Mini Snakes
"Whoa." Lloyd breathed out
"Gross." I say looking away
"You—You totally disintegrated him!" Jay yelled
"I-it was an accident." Cole replied stuttering
"Look!" Nya pointed to the mini snake coming back together
"Ew! Grosser!" Jay shouted
"Come on, team, we've done this before. There's more than one way to stop a snake." Lloyd stated
As we all nod attacking the snake with Spinjitsu for it to reform again.
"I'm starting to think we might have underestimated this guy." Kai announced
"It certainly appears so." Zane agreed
"You said there was more than one way to stop a snake! Which way do you wanna try now?" Jay spazzed
"Um, any of them?" Lloyd shrugged as I watched the snake run to Cyrus Borg. Why hasn't he left yet?
"It must be after Cyrus Borg!" I exclaimed to group
"Okay, big guy, that is as far as you go." Cole said running out in front of the snake
"Cyrus Borg! Zane, get him out of here. We'll deal with the samurai." Lloyd ordered
"Right this way, doctor." Zane says running out of the BorgStore. I sigh creating forceful winds to separate the snakes.
"Guys! I know how to stop these things! We gotta keep the snakes from getting back into the armor and reforming!" Jay shouted gleefully
"No kidding. Any idea how?" Cole asked
"Nya, use your Water power!" Jay smiled
"No good, those snakes can swim." Kai replied
"Haha. Not in this pool!" Jay joked and he uses Lightning. "Haha! Look, guys. Electric eels!"
No one laughed and Jay scoffed. "Oh, come on, that was a good one!"
"Guys, it's working!" Lloyd pointed out as me and Kai used both of our powers to separate the snakes
"I guess Fire and Wind do go together." Kai smirked as they all went away into the sewers. "Who were they?"
"Good question. Zane, can you analyze? Oh, right, he's with Cyrus Borg. Come on. Let's go get them!" Lloyd said as we ran down the alley to see Zane on the ground. "Zane!"
"Hey." I whispered picking up a broken BorgWatch. "Cyrus Borg's BorgWatch, but no Cyrus Borg." I announced showing the watch to the group. Nya bent down quickly checking the wiring on Zane.
"Why would anyone want Cyrus Borg...?" Lloyd questioned
"That's for us to find out." Kai replied determined
"Or not hehe." Jay laughed nervously. "What?! Sorry I want a break!"
I shook my head watching Nya and Kai pick Zane up by his shoulders. "Time to go home." Lloyd said
***
I sat in the game room watching Cole try to beat all of Jay's highscore's. "You're never gonna do it." I laughed leaning up next to him and resting my head on his shoulder
"Nice to know you have so much faith in me." Cole remarked his eyes not leaving the screen
"Jay plays video games all the time I'm surprised he isn't in here right now." I commented
"Nya dragged him out of the Temple to her Samurai X Cave." Cole informed when someone walked in I lifted my head up to see Lloyd.
"Hey Lloyd!" I waved my hands for him to come over. "Coles trying to beat Jay's high score." I smiled as Lloyd walked over slowly
"I don't want to be interrupting anything." Lloyd said as I got up moving away from Cole.
I was trying to make Lloyd comfortable.
"No you're not interrupting. Right Cole?" I ask hoping he would say something good
"Oh yeah of course." Cole replied still looking at the screen Lloyd sat down on a different couch.
"About earlier I wanted to come in and say I'm sorry." Lloyd confessed
"Lloyd it's okay and I'm sorry too. I should have communicated better with you." I admitted as a sudden death noise came from the TV. Cole jumped up immediately throwing his hands in the air. "One point away!" He yelled in frustration
"I told you." I sang out annoyingly
"Whatever." He grumbled sitting back down on the couch
"Don't be mad." I laughed a little and poked his side to force a smile out of him. "I'm not mad. Anymore." He replied
"I guess I'll go now." Lloyd spoke making me frown
Cole didn't seem to realize anything. "Talk to you later Lloyd."
"Bye Lloyd." I waved him out of the room.
I reached over to the table grabbing a book on Wind/Air abilities. Cole groaned "reading really?"
"Hey! Don't judge how do you think I'm able to keep up with a Nindroid." I replied and the thought about for a minute. "Kinda keep up." I added quietly reading the ability of Aeroportation. 'Teleporting using air currents.'
Very interesting. Just then Cole reached over and snatched my book. "Cole!" I yelled trying to get it back. "You're giving the book more attention then me."
I used my wind power to send a gust knocking it back in my lap. "That's because the book is more interesting then you."
"Oh really?" Cole smirked
"Yes." I replied not looking at him
Cole sighed getting up. "Fine I guess I'll just leave."
"You do that." I said still not making eye contact. He wouldn't actually leave.
"Bye." He responded actually moving and leaving the room. I set the book down slightly confused. "He actually left."
I picked the book back up until I heard a loud bang from the hallway. I quickly got up sprinting to the location to see, Lloyd and Cole wrestling on the floor with each other.
"Lloyd!" I yelled as he didn't reply just had a cold look on his face
"Cole! Stop!" I yelled again for them not to listen. I promptly used my wind powers to knock the back on either side.
"Why are you fighting?!" I shouted to get no reply. "I asked a question someone speak up!"
"Your brother here is a little too overprotective." Cole remarked
"Well you never keep your hands off her!" Lloyd defended
"I don't care what started it but everyone is going to stop. And apologize." I stated looking at them both
Cole huffed out before nodding. "I'm sorry Lloyd."
"It's... fine." Lloyd muttered still a little angry. "And I'm sorry too." They both nodded and Lloyd went straight into Master Wu's room.
I look to Cole in a little disbelief. "That's my brother you can't fight with him."
"I know and believe me I didn't want to. But he threw the first punch, and I wasn't about to let him punch me." Cole explained
"Do you need anything?" I asked unsure
"No. I'm just going to go to bed goodnight." He responded walking away
"Goodnight." I called after him shaking my head.