(Above Ninjago City, Wu flies through the air, evading a Dragonide's attack. The Dragonide grabs one of his wings.)
Nelson: That's Master Wu!
Wu: Not...not yet. Not yet. Now! (He detaches his wings and falls.)
Antonie: Oh, gosh!
Nelson: I hope he timed that right!
(Wu screams as he falls into the canal while Antonia and Nelson watch on their bikes.)
Antonia: I fished out the last one. It's your turn! (Nelson hauls Wu onto the sidewalk and she gives him CPR.) What are the odd— we'd end up having to— resuscitate two people who fell— in the same canal?
Nelson: You're getting good at it, 'Tones.
Antonia: Help me lift him up. We gotta get outta here!
(On the streets, Nya wakes up to find herself trapped under the mast of the Bounty.)
Nya: Huh? What happened? (She groans as she tries to get up.) Ugh, last I can remember...I was on the Bounty with Crystal and Lloyd and...and nothing. (She sighs.) Guess memories is something else we can add to the list of things I'm missing! (She grunts trying to get the mast off.) Ugh, where's Cole when you need him-
Styx: Come on cool powers, work already! (He appears on the mast.) Hah! 6th's time a charm! Just like the tribe, huh, weird.
Nya: Styx!
Styx: (Looks down.) Oh, hey, Nya! What's... (Sees her stuck situation.) ...down?
Nya: (Laughs.) I got a little stuck.
Styx: Dude... (Looks around.) ...don't tell me the Bounty got destroyed again-
Nya: It did. (She strains her arms, pushing at the wood.) I got separated from the others on the Bounty when the Overlord blasted us out of the sky and- Wait. Where's Pixal?
Styx: Uh... (He looks away.) ...I...don't know?
Nya: What? What do you mean: you don't know?!
Styx: Her mech went haywire, okay! I thought I could use my powers and teleport us both out of there but... (He gestures to himself.) That didn't really work out...
(A flashback ensues of the Samurai X Mech falling out of the sky.)
Pixal: Mayday! My mech has destabilized! Is there anyone on the ground level that can catch me?
Styx: (Looking out the shield.) We're gonna die...
Pixal: (Still talking through her comms.) Repeat! Is there anyone available?
Styx: (Seeing the upcoming ground.) Oh, Great Devourer, we're gonna die...
Pixal: (She hits the controls.) Anyone?!
Styx: For the sixteen realms' sake, Pixal! No one's available! (He points at a red button.) Let's eject, already!
Pixal: Styx, I do not think-
Automated Voice: (Styx presses the button.) Eject Error. Eject Error. System failure.
Styx: You've got to be kidding me...
Pixal: (She gets out of her seat.) I will attempt to break the shield-
Styx: Wait, I got a better idea! Hold on! Cool teleportation powers come in handy, remember?
(Before Pixal could respond, Styx's scales glow white before a bright flash envelops the mech. Suddenly, Styx is seen teleported in the air still falling. He facepalms before trying again, he then appears in a road full of crystalized warriors.)
Pythor: (Seeing something small on the ground.) What is that?!
Styx: Oops. Hold on, Pixal!
(Styx tries once again as he disappears while Pythor covers his eyes from the flash. This continues several times as he ends up in the Sea of Sand, Shintaro, the Island of the Keepers, and Merlopia.)
Styx: Uh, and I think you know the rest.
(In the present, Nya stares at Styx as he laughs awkwardly.)
Nya: Styx-
Styx: I guess I didn't notice that Pixal wasn't with me when we- I teleported.
Nya: Styx-
Styx: I wouldn't worry through, she has Mini-Pix with her...hopefully.
Nya: Styx!
Styx: Yeah?
Nya: You were in Shintaro, the Island of Keepers, and Merlopia and you didn't think of asking them for help?
Styx: ...To be completely honest, that thought never occurred to me-
Mechanic: (From afar.) Come on, slowpokes! Pick up the pace! The Crystal King wants the Ninja found, and I ain't gonna be the one to tick him off just because you guys can't keep up!
Ciara: (Out of view.) Mechanic. You're the only one that's slowing us down.
Mechanic: What?! No I'm not-
Nya: (Grunting, whispering.) We've gotta get out of here. Ugh! (Mutters.) The one time I don't have my powers and my mech...
Styx: Maybe I can teleport us out-
Nya: No! (She waves her arms.) For mine and Pixal's sakes, no.
Styx: (Crosses his arms.) Fine.
(Meanwhile, at the newspaper warehouse, Sammy hears someone suddenly knock on the doors.)
Sammy: (In a whisper) When does the news sleep?
Antonia: Never! (She and Nelson enter carrying Wu.) Don't just stand there, help us out!
Wu: (He wakes up, coughing.) What is this place? Where am I?
Nelson: You're in the paperkids' warehouse, Master Wu. We didn't know where else to bring you.
Wu: (Stands up, suddenly.) Do you know the whereabouts of the rest of the Team?
Antonia: You mean, you haven't heard? I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but...the Destiny's Bounty was destroyed. It crashed into the city.
Wu: Crashed? Where?
Antonia: All over the place. It broke up into pieces.
Wu: And the Ninja? The Samurai Xs. Are they okay?
Sammy: (Shrugs.) Nobody knows.
Wu: Well...they have survived worse. I'm sure they're fine.
Nelson: You bet. And now that you're here, we can start planning!
Wu: Planning?
Nelson: Yeah! You know, the counterattack! (Gestures around.) This place is the perfect base! We got water, electricity, we even got an old radio. And people!
Sammy: (Raises his hand.) Uh, yeah, kid's got a point.
Wu: Absolutely not! There will be no counterattack! I must get you all to safety.
Antonia: What do you mean, no counterattack?
Nelson: Yeah! We're not scared.
Wu: Well, you should be. We are up against the Overlord himself. And I am not about to lead a group of children into battle against the embodiment of evil and darkness!
Nelson: That never stopped you before!
Wu: Well, this is different.
Nelson: Master Wu, you once told me that the important thing isn't winning or losing. It's never quitting! And Ninja don't quit!
Wu: But you are not Ninja, you are just children. (Sighs.) And do not call me master, I've already failed my students and those who looked me up as a leader.
Antonia: Humph, you may think we're just kids, but we've been around, y'know. (She waves her arms.) We delivered the news through molten lava balls and giant snakes, and video game dragons, and tsunami waves for crying out loud!
Wu: It is not a question of courage, child. It is one of wisdom. I led my Team into battle because I thought we had a chance. I was sorely mistaken. (He shakes his head.) Our only chance lies in escape. We must get as far away from the city as we can.
Sammy: (He stops Nelson and Antonia from continuing.) You heard him, Spokes. (Sighs.) Looks like it's quittin' time.
(Back with Styx and Nya, who is struggling to free herself, the latter gets an idea.)
Nya: Wait, Crystal told me that you said that that other snake-
Styx: Silk.
Nya: -Silk, said you can turn into any Serpentine tribe. Turn into a Contrictai and use your strength to get the Bounty's mast off of me!
(Styx looks at his hands before closing his eyes. A few moments later, another flash occurs and Styx's scales is now coloured black and orange with white highlights.)
Styx: Huh, cool! Okay, hold on Nya-
Ciara: Well, well, well...What do we have here?
Nya: (She looks up to see Ciara twirling her Shuriken of Destruction.) Ugh, great. Here comes the emo girl with the butterknife.
Ciara: Emo girl-
Mechanic: (Appears behind Ciara.) Hah! What do we got here-
Ciara: I already said that.
Mechanic: Well, how was I supposed to know that? You walked 20 feet ahead of us!
Nya: (She rolls her eyes before whispering.) Hurry.
Styx: Ugh, I'm trying!
Mechanic: (Not listening.) Look, whatever, we can both say it.
Ciara: Uh-
Mechanic: (He points at Nya.) And- And- lookie here! The girl Ninja who lost her powers but still thinks she's a Ninja. (To himself.) Nailed it.
Ciara: (Facepalms. Mutters) When are you ever going to learn- (To the Crystal Warrior Army.) Crystalize the Ninja, Crystal Warriors!
Mechanic: Hey! I was going to say that-
Ciara: I said attack! (She looks back to see the Army marching towards them, ten feet away.) You've got to be kidding me- (She glares at the Mechanic.)
Mechanic: Hey, don't pin this one of me! That's what you get for running off without your partner... (He crosses his arms, looking away.) ...And army!
Nya: Uh... (She looks in between the two villains, confused.) Are you two just going to keep-
Mechanic: Whatever happened to teamwork, anyway?!
Ciara: No one in the right sanity would want to team up with you! (Crosses her arms.) Except for probably a mysterious mindless robot in black and pink. He would be a great partner of yours.
Mechanic: I can't even tell if that's an insult-
Styx: Yeah! (The mast splits in half as Nya stands up.) This Darvandai thing is actually starting to get cool!
Nya: (Grabs Styx and puts him on her shoulder.) Don't have your army to protect you, Ciara and the Mechanic. So, why don't you drop the Shurikanes of Ice and surrender.
Styx: Yeah! (He changes back to his original form.) You know, so we can skip the whole, we fight and still beat you part?
Ciara: (Grunts, pointing with her knife.) Well, you don't have your mech or your powers and you are just a little snake sidekick.
Mechanic: And those are the Shurikanes of Destruction to you, Ninja and Snake!
(Ciara and the Mechanic take up their battle stances as Nya and Styx do as-well. Just then, the Crystal Army appears behind the two but are destroyed the second they make it behind the villains. Everyone looks back to see Jay on his bike)
Nya: Jay! (She dodges Ciara's knife.) Woah!
Mechanic: Now we're talking! A Ninja with some actual powers! (He avoids Jay's Lightning as he stands on the broken Bounty.) Hey, can I ask you a personal question? How'd you two ever pair up? Everyone knows water and electricity don't go together.
Jay: You know what does go together? My foot and your face! (He fights the Mechanic.)
Nya: (She grunts, grabbing Ciara's fist.) So I take it I can't win you over with some girl-talk, huh?
Ciara: I'll give you three seconds to try. (She smirks before throwing the Shurikane of Destruction.)
Nya: Woah! (She does a backflip before catching Styx in her hand when she lands.) I'll take that as a "No." Styx, need some power to even the odds?
Styx: With pleasure- Ah!
(A creaking sound is heard behind Nya and Styx as they both slowly turn around to see the knife Ciara threw stuck in another mast.)
Nya: You've got to be kidding me!
Styx: Come on, no fair!
(Nya tries to move but it's too late and the sail falls atop her. She grunts as she looks beside her to see Jay fighting the Mechanic and Ciara.)
Nya: Get out of there, Jay! Run!
Jay: And leave you here? I don't think so. I just got you back!
Nya: I'll be fine, Jay! I've got Styx! Please! Run!
Mechanic: Aww, ain't that sweet? I'm getting all choked up here.
Ciara: (Rolls her eyes.) Just crystalize them both!
(Jay runs up to Nya and gets ready to lift the sails with Styx. Nya looks behind him to see the Mechanic and Ciara raising their Shurikens of Destruction to crystallized Jay.)
Nya: Look out, Jay!
Jay: Huh? (Water shoots from a fire hydrant and knocks Ciara and the Mechanic into a nearby building's wall.) Whoa! Nya, did you do that?
Nya: I...don't know.
Styx: Ugh, figure it out after we get her out of here?
Jay: Right! On three. One, two, three! (They lift the sails together before sharing a hug.) Your powers must be returning, Nya! Just like Kai's did, remember? After that witch-
Styx: Aspheera drained his elemental powers. Totally, they gotta be coming back. Slowly but fInally.
Nya: Huh, you might be right Styx. (Jay gives an unamsed face as Styx chuckles to which she doesn't notice.) Let's see... (She tries to summon her Water, but nothing happens.) Ugh, nothing.
Styx: I expected that. Didn't you hear the part "slowly?"
Jay: Heh, yeah, just give it time. It took Kai weeks to get his powers back. Come on. We better get out of here!
(Jay pulls Nya on his bike as they drive away while Styx salutes to Ciara and the Mechanic who glare t eachother. Back at the newspaper warehouse, Wu directs the paperkids.)
Wu: Remember. Once we get outside, head straight for the edge of the city, and avoid all contact with the crystal warriors. Understood?
Nelson: (He sighs.) I never thought the day would come.
Antonia: Yeah. Me neither. The day the news finally sleeps. Good luck, purple ninja.
Nelson: You too, 'Tones.
(Outside, Jake's parents run from Vengestone Guards.)
Jake's mom: What do we do? There's no way out!
(Wu fights off the guards with a broom but is quickly overpowered before-)
Antonia: Heads up!
Nelson: Special delivery!
(The paperkids attack the guards with newspapers. Wu smiles at the bravery of the children as he ushers the adults into the building.)
Jake's dad: Thank you. You saved us.
Wu: (Nods.) Nelson, help these good people inside. Antonia, get these bikes out of sight.
Antonia: What do you mean? Ain't we quittin'?
Wu: No, we ain't. (He smiles.) As Nelson previously reminded me, it does not matter if we win or lose in the battle. We never back down, nor we surrender. And as the News Never Sleeps, Ninja never quit.
(The paperkids all look at eachother in accomplishment as Sammy gestures to the old radio. Back in the city, Jay speeds through the streets with Nya and Styx.)
Jay: Even if we could find the others, Nya, what difference would it make?
Styx: Hate to say it, but the Jay Walker is right. We're way outnumbered.
Jay: Yeah, what we need is help.
Nya: Like who?
Styx: Uh, like all the places I teleported to? Shintaro, the Storm Island, Merlopia-
Jay: (He stops the bike.) Like Benthomaar!
Nya: Benthomaar? But he's hundreds of miles away, Jay, at the bottom of the Endless Sea. And I'm not risking Styx going on another teleporting spree.
Styx: Yeah, to be fair, I'm surprised I even ended up in the castle. (Jay looks at him confused.) Uh, long story.
Jay: Well, yeah, but, like, he's the new King of Merlopia, which means he's got an army. That's exactly what we need!
Nya: Yeah, but, again, how do you plan to reach him?
Jay: I don't. (He takes Nya's hand.) But you can.
Nya: Me?
Jay: Your powers are coming back, Nya. You can communicate with the whales! You're our best shot!
Nya: What if I can't do it?
Jay: I believe in you, Nya.
Styx: Me too, dude.
Nya: Okay. Get me to the harbour, and I'll do my best. But no promises.
(Back in the warehouse, Wu approaches the radio and takes the microphone.)
Wu: If you can hear me, if there is anyone out there listening. This is Master Wu. Our home is under attack. Enemies roam our streets. They hope to destroy all that is good and drive us into darkness. But I am here to tell you: They will fail! We are not fearful! We are stronger than they know and we will retake our city! The news never sleeps! To anyone listening out there, you are now honorary Ninja...
"And Ninja Never Quit!"