"Here we are," Garmadon announced as they walked up the last few steps and the large wooden doors came into view. Skylor had to tear her gaze away from the clouds carpeting the world around them to look at her new home. Garmadon had already gone ahead of her and was holding open the door.

Skylor was doing her best not to look as if this was the first time she'd been away from home, but it was, and everything was so new and interesting. She turned as she walked slowly through the courtyard, drinking in the visual aesthetic that gave the monastery its sense of peace. It wasn't nearly as ornate or extravagant as her father's palace, but somehow that made it all the more lovely.

Garmadon cleared his throat and Skylor returned her attention to him. She could admire the scenery later – right now she needed to remain focused. Although she had decided to accept Garmadon's offer, she was still wary about this strange new world she had entered. And there was no telling what her new teammates would think of her.

Just then, another voice rang out in the air. "Alright short stuff – show me what you got!"

Across the courtyard, Skylor could see a couple people sparring, a dark haired girl and a younger boy. Off to the side, two more girls were watching the fight. There was a tall girl with bright pink hair and a confident stance, and another smaller girl who appeared to have silver skin. Skylor paid close attention, and was surprised to see that the boy appeared to be evenly matched against his taller and older opponent. She wondered if maybe the girl was just holding back.

"Very good, Lloyd," Garmadon called as he approached. "But your defense could use a little work."

"Dad!" Lloyd ran towards them and Garmadon bent down to embrace his son, while the others looked fondly on the reunion. Skylor studied them, and briefly, she wondered who among them was the leader, and how long it might take for her to assume command. She was broken from her thoughts when her name was mentioned.

"Skylor, these are your new teammates. Nya, Seliel, and Pixal." Three girls waved in turn. "Girls, this is your fourth and final member, Skylor."

Skylor offered her hand to the first girl, Nya. She looked slightly younger than the rest, and she had a kinder look in the roundness of her face and her dark eyes. But instead of taking Skylor's hand, she only said, "It's nice to meet you."

Skylor smirked, figuring that they must have already been told about her powers. "It's alright, I'm wearing gloves." When Nya still hesitated, Skylor lowered her hand. "I guess it's too much to expect you to trust me upfront. Garmadon must have told you about me."

Garmadon cleared his throat. "Only about your element, as I told you theirs. That's the only thing that matters, after all."

The girls exchanged glances, but Skylor couldn't guess what they might be thinking. She would have to watch them closely. From what she heard, they had been training together for a while now, so they might not like having her come in and changing things up.

"I'm Lloyd. You want to spar sometime?" Skylor glanced down at the boy. "I hear you're way better than them."

"Hey!" Seliel protested.

Skylor gave the boy a skeptical look. He was young, but that was no reason to underestimate him. "You think you can keep up with me? I've been training my whole life."

"I know, I have, too! Please, I really want to practice with someone closer to my level! Mom and Dad always go easy on me and, well, they're still pretty new at this," he said, throwing a glance at the other girls.

Nya and Seliel glared at him, though Pixal didn't appear to be the least bit offended.

Skylor chuckled. "Okay, sure. It'll be an interesting challenge."

"Well, if you're so talented, why don't we hit the training course and see what you can really do?" Seliel said, though her tone was light.

Skylor considered the offer, but then Garmadon interrupted them.

"Actually," I think it's time you took a break from the training course." He looked to his son. "Why don't you go let your mother know I'm here?"

"But she –"

"Lloyd, inside. Now."

He heaved a loud, dramatic sigh before trudging back into the monastery.

The girls all watched Garmadon curiously. It was Nya who voiced their thoughts. "What is it, Sensei?" she asked.

Garmadon gazed at them with an expression that made each of the girls realize how important his next words would be. Skylor listened intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"I've told you all why you are here today, and you've each decided to accept the task ahead. But more than that, you were each chosen for your ties to the elements." He nodded to Skylor first. "Skylor, the Master of Amber. I'm certain she will adapt well to working with you all." He seemed to be saying it more to her than the others, though Skylor didn't know why he thought she needed to be reassured. "Nya is Master of Water," he continued. "It flows through you, strong like the river."

Nya looked to Skylor. "Hey, no hard feelings, right? I don't mean to be cold, but I just don't want you mastering my element before I do."

Seliel nodded in agreement. "We're a team, and I'm sure we'll end up being good friends, too."

Garmadon turned to her next. "Seliel is Master of Teleportation."

"Glad to have you on board, Skylor," Seliel said. "With your experience, you'll be a great help to the rest of us."

"Considering the rest of us have next to none, and our enemies have been preparing for years," Nya griped.

"Our overall fighting ability will not be significantly increased by a single member," Pixal pointed out. "On the contrary, our differences in experience may inhibit our ability to function coherently."

Garmadon smiled. "I'm sure you'll find a way to manage," he reassured her. "Pixal here is the Master of Magnetism." Skylor wasn't surprised, she looked like a giant magnet. 

"I would think that 'Master of Polarity' would be a more accurate title," the silver-skinned girl commented. 

"Polarity would be less accurate," Nya argued. "There are many types of polarity in science and mathematics, and only one deals with the poles of a magnet."

"Perhaps, but Polarity also sounds superior," Pixal said with a light smile.

"Y'know, I don't think they were thinking a whole lot about physics when they started giving these powers names," Seliel cut in. "I mean, how is amber an element?" she said, nudging Skylor. The newer ninja merely smirked, but before she had a chance to respond, Garmadon pounded his staff like a gavel.

"Focus, girls." When he knew he had their full attention again, he continued. "I believe that you four are destined to protect the four Weapons of Spinjitzu from Master Wu. It is up to you to protect all of Ninjago from his dark reign."

"And . . . what about Wu's students?" Nya asked hesitantly. "What about my brother?"

Skylor perked up. "You have a brother? Is he cute?"

Nya looked at her as if she'd grown an extra head.

"Hey, I grew up on an island," Skylor said defensively. "The number of cute boys falls at about zero. First time out in the real world, I wouldn't mind fighting against a dark, handsome ninja."

"This isn't a joke," Nya said, and Skylor realized she might have gone too far.

Garmadon looked gravely at Nya. "Wu is using your brother to get to the weapons. I wouldn't be surprised if you have to fight him. But if you talk to him, you may be able to show him Wu's true colors and win him over to our side."

Nya nodded. "If only he knew what was really going on – "

But Garmadon cut her off. "I can't promise it will be that simple. Wu has had years to get inside the minds of his students and convince them to believe anything he wants. I have hope that we can help them understand the truth, but it will not be easy, and it will not be quick."

Seliel put a comforting hand on Nya's shoulder as the water ninja wilted a little at the news.

Garmadon cast one final glance over his four students. "It's time," he announced. "We must go to the first weapon."

Needless to say, the girls were a bit surprised. "Hold on, Sensei," Seliel interjected. "Are you sure we've had enough training? We haven't even learned Spinjitzu yet."

Skylor gawked at them. "You don't even know Spinjitzu?!" Just how did Garamdon expect them to fight anybody if they didn't even know one of the most fundamental martial arts?

"Hey, we've barely had any time to learn," Nya said defensively.

Garmadon nodded. "Fear not. Spinjitzu is inside of you all. But you won't be able to unlock it until the key is ready to be found."

All four girls exchanged glances, wondering if anyone knew what he meant.

"Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but the sun will be setting soon, and I'm getting hungry. We'll take the horse carriage in the morning." He turned and walked into the monastery, leaving them to ponder his vague words.

"So now we must also find a key?" Pixal asked, confused.

"I think it might have been a metaphor," Seliel gently suggested.

Pixal furrowed her brow. Skylor could guess that metaphors were a bit tougher for her.

"The first weapon," Nya repeated to herself. "Well, he sure doesn't make it sound easy."

Skylor silently agreed. All this about elemental powers and magic weapons and world domination was normal for her. But saving the world? That was a lot of pressure to put on four young girls.