The Ninja stared out at the Chen's Island, where they would fight in the Tournament of Elements, and where they would find their friends.
"Look at that." Cole said.
"Awesome." Kai gasped in awe.
"Let me see." The master of metal shouted, pushing Kai out of his way. Before the two could do anything to each other, the boat had settled at the dock.
"Welcome to Chen's Island." Clouse said as he exited the boat with the other Elemental masters following close behind him, "The Tournament of Elements welcomes its brave fighters. Master Chen will be pleased you've returned, Sensei Garmadon."
"The pleasure is all mine, Clouse." Garmadon said.
"I'm sure it is."
"Definitely feeling some tension between you two." Jay commented.
"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.
Garmadon sighed, "Master Chen used to be a friend. Now he's a traitor. 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?" Lloyd asked, "He was an enemy."
"He used deception to divide the Elemental Masters." Garmadon explained, "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."
"He may have divided our ancestors, but he's not gonna divide us."
Just then, Kai pushed the guys away when he saw the strange woman in amber and the girl she was accompanying.
"Ladies first." He said, smiling like a dope as she passed by. The stranger in black scoffed.
"Just so you know, Ninja of Flames, flattery does not work on my friend." She said, and then walked past them without saying another word.
As they walked up to the doors, everyone got ready to meet Master Chen, who would come to greet them very soon.
"This is a big island. Zane and Anirei could be anywhere. Keep an eye out." Cole said.
The doors opened to the inside of the temple, revealing men chanting and playing large drums to welcome all of the Elemental Masters. Everyone walked in, admiring the temple entrance, but the Ninja were constantly on guard, looking for any sign that Zane or Anirei were there at all. Lloyd kept a tight grip on the blue jewel around his neck, hoping that Anirei would give him some sort of sign that she was there.
"So, this is the house that noodles built." Jay commented, "Ha! Always wanted to go to a red carpet event."
"Chen lives like a King." Garmadon said, "Here, he's totally self-sufficient. The only way on or off his island is with his permission, which you have to earn."
"You never told me about this place." Lloyd said being surprised at how much his father knew about the island, and how little he truly knew about his father, How do you know so much about this island?"
"Because before Chen was my enemy..." Garmadon let a part of his robes fall off his back, revealing a purple snake tattoo on his back, "...he was my Sensei."
Everyone gathered inside the temple, sitting and waiting for Chen to arrive and start the Tournament.
"You never told me you had a Sensei." Lloyd said to his father.
"When I was your age, I sought a darker means of guidance. He taught me to win at all cost, no matter who I hurt. It wasn't until you and Anirei saved me that I saw the light."
Lloyd smiled and gently rubbed the jewel around his neck.
"Uh, apparently he also never taught you to have a sense of humor." Jay said, "Lighten up, we're in an underground fight club. This is supposed to be fun."
Suddenly, everything was silent when the loud ringing of a gong brought everyone's attention to the center of the room.
"All rise for Master chen." Clouse said and everyone stood up as dramatic music played in the background. A chair was slowly lowered down to the floor, and sitting in the chair was Master Chen himself. He was dressed extravagantly in fancy robes and a Serpentine skull on his head, but he smiled at everyone with confidence and a little bit of glee.
"Welcome to the Tournament of Elements." He greeted, "Now, everyone can all die." The door closed for dramatic effect, "Direct your attention to me."
"I forgot to mention he has a penchant for theatrics." Garmadon said at the last minute.
"Hee, hee, hee!" Chen laughed, "Never before have so many Elemental Fighters been under one roof. I see Master of Fire, Earth, Shadow. Speed. Even a prophesied Green Savior. And a former pupil of has returned."
Garmadon glared at Chen as he turned around to show off the golden gong in the corner.
"This symbol before you is for the Anacondrai, fiercest Serpentine warrior to ever roam this land. It's creed: "Only one can remain.""
One of the men in the temple rang the gong, making it split in half and reveal a board with everyone's faces on it.
"Good, looks like we're each in our own bracket." Kai said in relief seeing that none of them had to fight each other so soon, "We won't have to face each other for a while."
"Better find Rei and Zane before that happens." Lloyd said.
"Behold, a Jade Blade." Chen directed everyone to Clouse, who held a blade made entirely out of pure Jade, "Here, it represents life. Obtain it, move on. Allow your opponent to take it... Loser. The rules are simple. Every match will be different. No two fights will be the same. Your powers will keep you in the tournament. Use it or lose it."
"Hm. What does Karlof win?" Karlof asked.
"Yes, Master Chen. What is our prize if we win this tournament?" The stranger in black asked.
"Win and stay on the island." Chen answered, moving closer to the stranger in black, "Win it all, and you'll receive fortunes beyond your wildest dreams, and lifetime supply of Master Chen noodles."
The stranger smiled under her hood.
"But no one is here because of noodle." Chen continued, "You want the glory of being the greatest fighter in all of Ninjago."
Everyone cheered except for the Ninja and the stranger in black.
"And what happens if they lose?" Garmadon asked.
"Lose? Who here likes to lose?" Everyone laughed, "Now please, enjoy my island. It's a super fun happy place. Ha, ha, ha. Fun time on me."
"You'll now each be shown to your rooms." Clouse said. He clapped his hands and several Kabuki appeared from behind the door to welcome the fighters to their rooms.
"Ah, just what this place needs. Creepy clowns." Jay scoffed.
"Not clowns. Kabuki, Chen's jesters." Garmadon corrected.
