The falcon flapped his long, powerful wings. It zoomed across the beautiful cloudless sky, giving a triumphant cry as it spun in midair. Suddenly it folded in its wings and dove towards the ground. The falcon narrowed its eyes and swooped back up at the last second, skimming the ocean water and sending spray flying. It flapped once more before flying back up into the sky. An island came into view, and the falcon started to fly faster. 

"Well done, my feathered friend," a voice boomed in the falcon's receptors. "You have found your destination." The bird of prey cawed affectionately in response as he glided through the sapphire sky. 

———-

The sitting room was nice and cozy. Two crimson couches faced each other on a plush rug situated on a redwood floor. A small table sat between the couches. The walls were a cream color, with paintings hung carefully around. The domed ceiling made the room look bigger than it really was, but gave it an airy feeling. 

Cole was sitting on one couch with his feet propped up on the table. He was enjoying a light conversation with Nya, who was situated on the other couch. Jay had fallen asleep with his head in Nya's lap, and his body was curled up against her. He was drooling a bit out the side of his mouth. Nya was unconsciously stroking her fingers through Jay's auburn hair. 

This was the scene that Garmadon walked into a few minutes later. He looked rather amused when he saw Jay drooling into Nya's lap, but he quickly rearranged his features into a straight face. The moment wasn't lost on Cole, and the ninja of earth grinned at the sensei. 

"Hi, Garmadon! We're just catching up on what's been going on. You'll never believe what Nya here had do go through to get in here!" Cole exclaimed, casting a fond glance at the black-haired girl. 

"I'm sure it is a thrilling tale," Garmadon said with a grim face. "But we have more pressing matters." 

"Like what?" Nya asked, looking concerned. 

The sensei sighed. "I have informed you about there being an antidote, have I not?"

Nya gasped, but Cole's eyes lit up. "Yeah Sensei! But... but you said that it would be impossible to find." 

"And so I did," Garmadon nodded. "Because it is indeed very rare to find. But there could be a chance that you could find it, with the help of our missing friends."

Nya joined in. "But Sensei, how are we going to find Zane and Lloyd? I thought they were still in the lowest levels of the dungeon?"

Suddenly, Jay groaned in his sleep and all three of them jumped. 

"Mmm.... Nya...." he muttered. "The.... Falcon...."

"J-Jay?" Nya looked worried again. "Are you—"

"Falcon..." he murmured a bit louder, starting to stir in his sleep. 

Cole gasped and stared at something behind Nya. A large bang resounded around the room as a bird dropped through the window and landed on Nya's couch. 

"The falcon!" Nya and Cole exclaimed in unison. Cole jumped up from his couch and hurried over to the falcon. 

"Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you were back in Ninjago..." Cole stroked the falcon like Zane used to do, feeling a pain of regret for it. He wasn't sure if the bird actually had feelings for Zane, but he had learned not to underestimate robots. 

The falcon gave a caw and jumped onto Jay's sprawled body. The ninja of lightning made a noise rather like a purr, making Nya giggle. The mechanical bird prodded Jay with its beak, motioning for them to wake him up. 

Cole shrugged at Nya and started to shake his young friend. "Hey, wake up Jay! The, uh, falcon wants you." He snickered. 

Jay was finally starting to wake up, and he swatted at Cole's face. "Ugg..... Go away...." he groaned, still attempting to bat Cole away. Finally he opened his eyes and found himself staring straight up into Nya's face. 

"WHA— Oh... Hi Nya," he giggled awkwardly, peeling himself away from her. 

"Hi Jay," Nya smirked. "Zane's falcon dropped in for a visit. Literally." 

Jay yawned, wincing a bit as his chest stretched. "Yeah, I know. Zane told me he'd be coming."

Garmadon, Cole, and Nya stared at him. "What?" Jay exclaimed indignantly. "He's still budging into my dreams!"

Cole rolled his eyes. "All right. So what else did Zane say? Anything important?"

"Mmm..." Jay screwed his eyes up as he tried to remember. "Um... I don't think so.... Oh yeah, he said that the falcon would be watching for him so he'd be able to know what we've been up to. I think that's it. Oh hey, by the way, where's Kai? I thought you said that you guys wouldn't leave him alone anymore."

Garmadon nodded. "I locked his door, so he should be safe for now. I wasn't planning on staying too long. I only came to inform the three of you about the antidote."

"There's an antidote?" Jay asked, brightening up. "For, like, my.... um...."

"Your impalement ailment?" Cole offered. 

"Um... yeah." Jay raised an eyebrow. 

Garmadon sighed. "Yes. I have been researching jade blades. According to the books, the blades were forged in the Jade Cavern, which is at the end of a large maze. If we can find the cavern, there are secrets imprinted in the wall. I believe that these secrets will give a clue as to what the antidote is."

"Wait," Jay frowned. "So you're telling us that we have to get to a maze and then somehow get through the maze to get to a cavern and then somehow translate the secrets in the wall and then learn where the antidote is and then we have to find the antidote and somehow—"

"Jayyyy..." Cole groaned. "You're making my head hurt."

"Sorry," Jay grinned, not looking sorry at all. 

The four of them jumped as the door flew open and Kai was flung into the room. He ran into Cole and both of them fell down with a thunk. But then Master Chen was suddenly outside the room with a big control panel.

"I'm sorry, but you have all stayed much too long. You are out of the Tournament, and so you should be out of my building. Have fun!" And with that, he pushed a button on his panel. Before the ninja could respond, the floor dropped out. The three ninja, samurai, sensei, and falcon were thrown through the hole and onto a slide, and the next thing they knew, they were sitting outside with nowhere to go. 

"You know," Jay sighed. "I really hate buttons."