A/N: Hello. I finally managed to finish this one and didn't let sleep take over me yet. First person to point out all the grammar errors will get a wrench to the head. I think there is literally less than 10 chapters I have left to write for this book, then it's over. I'm surprised. Anyway, thanks for reading, voting, and commenting!

It took a couple hours to get Cress to relax . She was not pleased to wake up with the arrangement that was made for her safety.

After he managed to get her to settle down, Jackson spoke with her privately.  While he did so, Loriah went to go look at the map to see which stone was closest for them to get next.

“Hey guys- we have a bit of a situation!” Loriah called after one glance at the map

Less than a minute later, the rest of the team was in the bridge with her, with Jackson slightly supporting Cress.

“What's the problem sis?” Lloyd questioned

“That’s the problem.” Loriah replied as she pointed at the map

The once stone colored map was now completely blank.

“What happened to it!?” Jay yelped

“How am I supposed to know!?” Loriah snapped back

“Is it broken?” Kai questioned as he looked at it

“Sure Kai….a hundred plus year old map is now suddenly broken. Absolutely brilliant conclusion.” Cress said sarcastically

Kai blushed bright red and shot her a glare, which Cress returned.

Jackson leaned over and whispered something to her. Cress looked surprised at him but nodded and returned her attention back to the problem.

“Well, technically speaking, hasn't each stone faded itself off the map after we retrieved it?” Zane questioned as he looked at

“Fair point, Zane. But what happened to the Smoke, Blood, and Ice stones then?” Nya said as she pointed at the map

“Maybe it's glitching?” Jay said

“That's as bad as Kai's suggestion.” Cole said with a groan

“I don't hear you coming up with an idea Rocky boy.” Jay snapped back

“Watch it!”

“Please don't start arguing now.” Lloyd said

“You know, logically, there's only one answer to this.” Jackson started slowly

“What would that be?” Cress questioned

“That the bad guys have those three stones.”

Everyone else then became silent.

“How would that be possible? You need to be the master of that element to get it.” Lloyd pointed out

“Fair point.” Jackson said as he tapped his chin thoughtfully, “Technically speaking, you don't have to be the elemental master of that element to retrieve the stone. You'll suffer a great deal of pain, but if you play the cards right, you can get the stone and live.”

“We are so hooped!” Jay cried out as he pulled at his hair

“Calm yourself Jay.” Zane said

“Well, we have the rest of the stones. So even if they have those, they can't do anything without the rest right?” Loriah questioned

“Mmmm, I think your right.” Lloyd agreed

“Which would mean we need to make sure nothing happens to them.” Cole then added

“Right.” they all agreed

Before anyone could say anything else, the alarm started ringing. Echo and Rex then popped up in the doorway.

“Says Shadows have appeared in a forest just past Ninjago city.” He reported to them, and his little cub nodded along

“Alright, looks like we get to have a bit of fun.” Kai said as he grabbed his katana

“We'll see.” Zane said

A moment later, they each grabbed their weapons minus Jackson, who's weapon laid in splinters in the jungle.They each formed their dragons before flying off.

“What do you think they would be in a forest for?” Lloyd asked

“Who knows? But it can't be anything good.” Nya called back

“Whatever it is, they're gonna regret it.” Cole said

They all agreed Before coasting down for a landing. As soon as they made their dragons disappear, the ninja barely had a second to whip out their weapons as the shadows launched at them.

“Woah!”Jay yelped as he ducked and whipped out his nunchucks.

The shadows ended up forcing them to separate, making them spread out from eachother.
Is it just me or does it seem like these guys are neverending!” Loriah called as she blocked a blow with her katana

“You're telling me!” Jackson yelped back as he could only duck and dodge

“‘ey little brother.” Hyde then said within him

“Now isn't the best time, Hyde!”

“I noticed, check your right pocket.”

“Why?”

“Because I left something terrible in there.” Hyde said sarcastically

“Haha, very funny.”

“I know. Now kick this guy in the kneecap and check your pocket.”

Without a second thought, Jackson did exactly that. The shadow fell, moaning in pain.

He had about a minute before another one came. Listening to his brother, Jackson reached into his pocket and pulled out a small metal pole.

“What is this?”

“Click it and you'll find out.”

Amused, Jackson did so. The pole then extended out of both ends, turning the small half foot pole in a five foot tall one. There was another click and a metal prod appeared on the top tip of it. The metal then start to buzz with electricity.

Jackson  lit up like a little kid on Christmas morning.

“Your welcome.” Hyde said with a smirk

“No. Flipping. Way.”

“Yes way. No go deal with those dimwits.”

“Oh yah!” Jackson cheered before fighting again.

*****

The ninja all kept fighting hard. Just as they each were reaching their physical maxpoint, a shout for ‘Retreat’ was called for.

They regrouped, each of them tired.

“Was it just me, or was it odd that they randomly called a retreat?” Jay asked

“Highly odd.” Zane agreed

Just then, they each got a comm message from echo.

“Guys! Hurry to the Dr. Borgs tower! The security for the realm crystal was just set off!” He said urgently

“On it! Thanks Echo.” Zane replied

“Yep!”

In an instant, they formed their dragons and flew off.

Within several minutes, they made it to the tower, only to be too late.

“It was a distraction.” Loriah said quietly as they saw all the high tech security,  destroy

“So they could take the realm crystal.” Lloyd added

“And wouldn't get caught.”

“That's why the retreat was called. Because they got what they wanted.” Jackson said quietly

“And now, we're losing…”

*****

Spar smirked as he saw the shadows bringing in the realm crystal. The plan was now almost complete. All that was left, was the other five stones.

Then his job would be complete.

And Ninjago would be theirs.

“Master, we await your command.” a shadow said

Spar smirked as he remembered the ninjas base and home, the bounty

“Let us see if that ship can swim.” He said with a cackle

*****

Nighttime had rolled around, and the ninja still held the feeling of defeat.

Loriah was off sharing her blade. Jay and Cole were playing video games. Nya was helping Echo check all the wires of the bounty. Zane was meditating with Sensei. Cress was training, and Kai was in his room.
Lloyd looked around for Jackson and remembered that he had went downstairs.

He headed off, nodding at those he past. The day had turned into a wreck. Stones were lost, as was the crystal and none of them knew what was coming up next.

Lloyd went below deck, creaking on the stairs. He found Jackson's workroom light on. He went ahead in and saw him at his worktable.

Except Lloyd quickly realized it wasn't Jackson, but Hyde.

He had on a pair of bright red headphones, with his usual all black attire.

Lloyd walked further in and heard bits of whatever song he was listening too.

“We just posted, getting crazy, living like this is so amazing
Hold up take a step back, when we roll up, cause I know what
We been loyal, we been fam, we the ones you trust in
Won't hesitate to go straight to your head like a concussion
I know I been bustin', no discussion for my family
No hesitation, through my scope I see my enemy
Like what's up? Hold up, we finna re-load up
Yes I re-load up, I know what up, I know what up”

Lloyd was about to tap his shoulder until Hyde spoke first.

“Can I help you?” He questioned with a tint of amusement

“I thought I'd just come and talk.” Lloyd said simply

Hyde thought for a moment before he pulled off his headphones, and Lloyd managed to hear another round of lyrics as Hyde fumbled with something.

“Used to doing bad, now we feel like we just now getting it
Ain't got no other way so we started and finished it
No pain, no gain
Never stand down, made our own way
Never going slow, we pick up the pace
This is what we wanted from a young age
No emotion, that's what business is
Lord have mercy on the witnesses”

A second later, Hyde clicked something and the room fell silent again.

“You have several things to ask me, is that correct?” He asked as he turned to face Lloyd

Lloyd nodded back

“Ask away green machine.” Hyde said with a playful smirk

Lloyd grinned a little at the nickname

“Where's Jackson?”

“Taking a reality break. Literally.”

“Do you know anything extra about the stones.”

“Perhaps one or two things, but it is of no use.”

“You're not as bad as Kai makes you seem are you?”

“Not particularly.”

Lloyd smiled a little, which Hyde returned. The two chatted for another good fifteen minutes, until Lloyd had one final question.

“Hyde, what do you think they need the realm crystal and the elemental stones for?”

Hyde grew silent for a bit, and looked thoughtful. Lloyd waited patiently.

“If you truly wish to know.” Hyde started slowly

“I do.”

“As you wish. I believe the Dark Realm is trying to be brought to Ninjago.”

Any guesses on what song those lyrics belong too? It's one of my personal favorites.