"Welcome to Chen's island," Clouse said as he disembarked. "The Tournament of Elements welcomes its brave fighters."

All this talk about the tournament was making Kai impatient. He was itching for a fight. Sure, they were only there to make sure that the girls lost the tournament, but he also wanted to have some fun and maybe even win this thing. He expected that the others felt the same way. At least it wouldn't be much longer, now.

Kai followed his teammates off the boat and up the stairs to the main gates. Chen had really gone all out with this thing. There were dancers and drummers and everything, not to mention all the surprises he had in store for later on. Kai had already gotten a glimpse of a few things during the time that they'd been helping get it ready. This sure was going to be an interesting event.

Clouse led the competitors into the palace and directed them to sit around the giant serpent pattern on the rug. As they took a seat, Jay whispered, "Are you guys as hyped about this as I am?"

"I don't know exactly how 'hyped' you are," Zane answered. "But I myself am pretty excited."

"Just remember the mission," Cole warned them. "That comes first."

Kai took a quick glance at the other masters around them. Some looked tougher than others, but looks didn't count for everything.

There was a guy off to one side with huge metal gauntlets over his fists. Another with skin as gray as ash and a face that looked just as grim. And almost directly across from Kai, a hooded figure whose face was obscured from sight. Kai remembered seeing him on the boat ride here. He was a small guy, obviously a little shy. For the life of him, Kai couldn't recall who he might be from the invitation list, or what his element was. That alone probably made him more of a threat than most of the others here.

When Kai looked further down the circle of fighters, he located the group of girls, including his sister and the attractive amber ninja. Kai was still annoyed with Cole for making him look bad in front of her – what was wrong with a little harmless flirting? Especially if he could get some info out of it. Kai wasn't an idiot, it wasn't like he would let anything slip.

But what's more, Kai couldn't believe he'd never noticed her before. Granted, he hadn't noticed that his sister was one of Garmadon's students before Master Wu told him, either. But it wasn't until they were at the pier, in the midst of all the arguing that he really saw her for the first time and froze up. And boy, was she breathtaking. All Kai wanted was to talk to her, to see if she had a personality as striking as her looks. But Cole was such a spoil-sport, he might never get the chance.

A gong sounded and Master Chen's signature fanfare played. Kai had heard that tune so much that he could have hummed along if he wasn't busy pretending not to know the guy.

"All rise for Master Chen," Clouse said.

Chen's throne was lowered down from above and set down on the platform. "Welcome to the Tournament of Elements!" he said. "Now you can all DIE—"

The front doors snapped shut like a snake clamping its jaws down on its prey. The Elemental Masters gasped.

"—rect your attention to me!" Chen giggled at his own joke. Kai fought the urge to roll his eyes. This guy was too much.

As he rose from his throne, Master Chen continued with more solemnity. "Never before have so many elemental fighters been under one roof. I see master of water, earth, shadow, speed . . ."

He turned and gestured to the gong, which was carved with a winding symbol of a serpent. "This symbol before you is for the Anacondrai, fiercest Serpentine warrior to ever roam this land. It's creed: Only one can remain."

Kai snorted with mild amusement. He'd never understand Chen's fascination with the mythical snake tribe. Zane had tried to convince Kai that the Anacondrai, that all Serpentine, were real creatures rather than a children's bedtime story, but Kai just wouldn't believe it. Ninjago wasn't that big of a place, and if there were any hidden Serpentine tombs, it would have made the news by now.

But Master Chen was obsessed with the creatures, and Kai didn't really care what he thought, as long as they could do what they came here to do.

The gong rang again and this time it split in half to reveal a roster of the fighters. Kai hadn't been able to get a look at the roster beforehand, but he was surprised that most of them wouldn't be facing Garmadon's students to start off with. They'd made a deal, so why was Chen holding off on his part of the bargain?

"Why aren't we facing more of our actual opponents?" Jay whispered, trying to be vague.

"If Master Chen pitted us only against Garmadon's ninja at the start, then they may get suspicious and leave before we've had the chance to fight," Zane said. "And, if we are lucky, another fighter might take out one of the girls before we have to."

"Which will be all the better for us," Cole said with a slight smile. "Then we can have time to focus on winning."

Now Chen turned to Clouse. "Behold, a Jadeblade." Clouse opened a chest and whipped out a sword with a pale green blade. "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!"

The man with the metal gauntlets asked, "What does Karlof win?"

"Win and stay on the island. Win it all and you will receive fortunes beyond your wildest dreams. And lifetime supply of Master Chen noodles!" Kai had tasted the noodles. That wasn't such a bad deal.

"But no one is here because of noodles!" Chen continued. "You want the glory of being the greatest fighter in all of Ninjago!"

"And what will happen if we lose?" the android girl, Pixal, spoke up.

"Lose? Who here likes to lose?" Chen laughed, as did the rest of the Elemental Masters.

Kai, for his part, tried to keep a straight face. She was right to be concerned. Not for the first time, he felt a slight twinge of discomfort at the thought of what would happen when his sister lost. But he remembered Master Wu's words, and reminded himself that she would be safer this way. If she didn't have her elemental power – whatever it was – then she wouldn't be able to fight, and he wouldn't have to face her in battle ever again.

"Now please, enjoy my island," Master Chen was saying. "It's a super fun, happy place! Fun time on me!"

"You'll now each be shown to your rooms." At Clouse's signal, the double doors opened and a procession of Chen's kabuki servants filed in. They wore white face paint with red designs and fancy silk kimonos. The whole time they had been here, Jay wouldn't stop saying how creepy he thought they were.

With rehearsed precision they surrounded the assembled group of masters and, each taking one by the arm, led them to the sleeping quarters.

As they were dragged along, Cole looked back at his team. "Be on your guard," he whispered. "We may be allies, but I still don't trust Chen any farther than I could throw him. There's no telling what tricks he has up his sleeve."

Zane cocked his head. "Couldn't you throw Chen quite far?"

"Yeah," Jay added. "Super strength. I bet you could throw him halfway across the island!"

"You know what I mean!" Then Cole lowered his voice even more and added, "Just don't get kicked out in the first round, okay?"

That would be humiliating. While Chen hadn't told them everything about his plan, they had been given a brief overview of how things would go. Soon the first round would start, and they would be battling against all the other masters for a Jadeblade. Imagine Master Wu's fury if one of his prized pupils lost the very first round. Chen would probably be angry, too, if he didn't have a fighter he could take powers from.

The boys were separated as the kabuki led them to different floors. Kai paused as the kabuiki gestured to his door. "Your fire suite, M—"

"Yeah, yeah," Kai said, waving her away. He'd practically watch as his suite was put together since he'd been living here for the past few weeks. He even had a little input. They were going along with all of this just for show, so that the other fighters wouldn't get suspicious.

Kai was rather fond of his room. It was so much better than living in a dank cave, or camping out in a forest where anything could kill you. Not to mention that he didn't have to share it with anyone. Instead of being shrouded in darkness and shadows, a set of windows lining the far wall provided fresh sunlight. The room was decorated with warm red tones, accented in gold.

There would be a bit of time to relax before the first round started, so he headed for the balcony, winking at the painting of himself as he passed. He opened the doors to the outside and breathed in the fresh air. When he glanced to his left, his heart nearly stopped.

The amber ninja was next door, leaning over the edge of her own balcony. The wind gently stirred her cherry red hair, and the sun made her eyes sparkle.

Kai couldn't believe his luck! But, oh, what was her name? Kai racked his brain as he tried to remember any clue, maybe a passing comment from one of her friends. When nothing came to mind, he decided he would just have to make do.

Kai leaned against the banister and put on his best smile. "Looks like we're neighbors," he called out.

She turned to him, one eyebrow raised in question. At least he had her attention.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Kai, Master of Fire." He unsheathed his sword and twirled it in his hand, the golden blade alight with flames. He threw in a wink for good measure.

"Skylor. Master of . . . wouldn't-you-like-to-know?"

So close! But she was too smart to fall for such a simple trick. Even so, Kai didn't mind a mystery.

Lost in thought, Kai let his still-burning sword drop too low and brushed his pants. There was a slight twinge of pain and Kai realized that the cloth had caught fire.

"Owowowow!" He hurriedly patted his leg to smother the flames. He was fire resistant, but not fire proof.

Skylor was giggling by the time he had put out the fire. That was a good sign, right? "Master of Fire. I can see that."

Kai's face flushed as he replaced his sword in its sheath on his back. "That doesn't usually happen." Time to change the subject. "I remember you. You're a pretty tough fighter. How long have you been training?"

The light in her eyes dimmed. "My whole life, actually," she replied.

Okay, bad subject. Kai rubbed the back of his neck, trying to think. "Me, too. How did you get mixed up with Garmadon?"

"How did you get mixed up with Wu?" she countered.

This was not going well. Normally flirting came so easy to him, but right now he felt like his brain kept stumbling over itself. "Never mind, forget I asked. I just want to hear about you." She glanced away, but Kai could see that she was smiling again. "Where are you from?"

"Guess."

Kai laughed in spite of himself. "Don't I at least get a clue?"

Skylor pushed away from the banister, moving towards him. "Why do you get to ask all the questions? You haven't told me anything about yourself."

Kai leaned over his balcony towards her. "Alright, fine. I grew up in a small village in the south. Your turn."

"Did you like it there?"

"Come on, now, we had a deal."

"But that's nothing new," Skylor argued. "Nya's already told me about your village."

That caught him off guard. He had forgotten that she and his sister must be close. Nya must have already told Skylor all about their home and their parents and even about him. Frustration canceled out amusement as he thought of the things Nya must have said about him. He averted his gaze. She didn't understand why he had to do the things he did. "I'm sure she has." 

"You know she still misses you," Skylor pressed.

Kai's brow furrowed. "It's not my fault. She chose her side, and I can't disobey Master Wu."

Skylor opened her mouth to say more, but she was cut off when Master Chens' signature fanfare blasted over the speakers throughout the island.

"Hello fighters!" Chen's disembodied voice greeted them.

Great, Kai thought. The first round's about to begin. He might have to fight Skylor. But he wasn't ready to get her kicked out of the tournament just yet. If he could only convince her that Garmadon was the real enemy, then she could join Wu's side and they wouldn't have to fight each other.

Chen's voice continued giving instructions to begin the first round. "Hidden around my island are enough Jadeblades for every participant except for one. The one who returns to the palace arena empty-handed loses! The tournament begins . . . NOW!"