Kai's POV

"Is the entire city out there or something?" Jay asks nervously, peaking out to look at the crowd from side stage. When there's a giant scream of teenage girls, signaling that he's been spotted, he pulls his head back.

"Why? You scared?" I ask, a small smirk on my face.

He crosses his arms,"Pfft, no. I'm just saying that if, and I say if, the whole city is out there, that's a safety hazard."

"Sure you are Zaptrap," I clap my hand on his shoulder before walking over to Lloyd.

All of us are wearing our elemental robes from the Temple of Light, just without the masks, since they were the outfits we saved Ninjago in. Lloyd is wearing his golden version, even though his golden powers were drained when he destroyed the Overlord, and now he can no longer use them.

"Hey Kai," Lloyd sighs.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"It's all so overwhelming. I was told I'd get used to it, but I'm not used to the constant attention. I'm still a kid at heart, you know that, but the media doesn't. I feel like I'm always being watched, and like if I mess up one thing, they're going to hyper analyze it," he admits, looking out on the giant crowd of people.

"They have no right to come after you for anything. You were the one who saved their lives. Even if they do happen to, I'm sure none of us are going to let them get away with it," I wrap my arm around his shoulder.

"Kai, I am sorry to interrupt, but I would like to ask you a question," Zane politely finds a way into our conversation. I give him a little head nod, signaling for him to keep going. "What is your sister's name? While we are waiting to go in stage, I am going to browse through the records in my database to see if I can find her anywhere."

"Nya," I smile softly at the sound of her name. "Don't even think about saying anything, Jay," I warn once I see him opening up his mouth from across the room.

"I was just going to say that I think it's a pretty name; that's all," he defends himself before going back to talking to Cole. He starts talking, and Cole just nods.

"Boys, it's time to go on stage," Sensei Garmadon informs us, walking in with Wu and Misako from another room. The five of us head to the side of the stage, so we can partially see the crowd. Part of them see us, and they start cheering loudly.

"Here, to give the Ninjagian Medal of Honor, a prestigious award, is the royal family themselves!" the person who has been talking for the past thirty minutes announces. She gestures to the opposite side of the stage, and the emperor, empress, and princess walk out, all in their regal green outfits. The royal family faces the crowd, and a series of cheers erupts.

"I didn't know the royal family would be here," I admit quietly.

"Citizens of Ninjago," the emperor greets, "we have gathered here today to honor five young men who risked their lives in order to save Ninjago. If it wasn't for them, we would all be dead right now. Let's give them a huge round of applause and welcome them onto the stage!"

As soon as the five of us get onstage, the crowd goes wild. The cheers are from everyone, ranging from adult men to teenage fangirls and even to small children. Right in the center of the crowd, there is a news camera towering over everyone.

When we finally reach center stage, I look out at the crowd. When I spot a group of fan girls to our right, I shoot them a wink, and they start hysterically screaming.

"The Ninjagian Medal of Honor is a very rare award that has been given to very few people. It is given to people who have given their all to make Ninjago a better, safer place, just like all of these boys have. The sacrifices these boys had to make were more than any of us can even comprehend. They had to give up their normal lives, their chances at school, and for one of them, even several years off their life.

When we call each of their names, they will come forward and shake both mine and the emperor's hands before our fair Princess Harumi places the medal around their neck," the empress instructs.

One by one, she calls each of our names. She starts with Zane, who is extremely formal. After Zane is Jay, who is both nervous and extremely excited. Cole is next, calmly and politely walking over and shaking everyone's hands. I'm after Cole, doing everything with confidence.

"And finally, Lloyd Garmadon," the empress smiles extra as she announces Lloyd's name. He walks over, shaking both of their hands and earning a pat on the back from the emperor, and leans over so the princess can put the medal on his neck. He gives her a small smile that she shyly returns before making his way back over to us.

The press starts to bombard us with pictures and interview questions, flashes surrounding us. We all try to smile through it. When I feel a hand on my arm, I look over and see Lloyd. His face is deathly pale, unlike how it was just a minute ago.

"Kai, I don't feel so..." he starts, trailing off mid way before collapsing. I catch him, so he doesn't hit the ground. The other guys look over, their eyes wide.

"I'll go get his parents," Cole announces, rushing off to the side of the stage.

"I remotely called an ambulance. They're on their way," Zane tells us as Jay deals with the paparazzi that are even closer now.

"Nothing to see here people, leave!" Jay tries shoos them off, even though they're persistent.

"Let's get him away from here," I suggest, and Zane nods. I scoop Lloyd up in my arms, and all of us make our way towards side stage. When we walk in, our eyes are wide. Both Garmadon and Wu are also on the floor. Misako is checking their pulses, and Cole looks like he was just on his way back.

"Their vitals seem completely normal," Misako admits, looking up to see Lloyd. Her face drops even more than it already was before. She quickly rushes over, taking her son out of my arms and resting him on the floor.

"I took a scan of Lloyd while Kai was carrying him. There are no abnormalities physiologically that could cause this," Zane explains, confusing all of us.

"Well, I'm pretty sure something's wrong if all three of them passed out at the exact same time!" Jay exclaims, pacing back and forth.

At Jay's words, Misako perks up, "Zane, did you already call the ambulance?" He nods. "Tell it to leave. We don't need it."

"I don't want to question you or anything," I speak up,"but are you sure that's the best idea? They all passed out."

"They all wouldn't faint out of nowhere for no reason, and if I'm right," Misako looks down at her phone. "They should be up within the next five minutes. Garmadon and Wu will explain everything when they are up. They know far more about this than I do," she states calmly. She gives Lloyd a kiss on the forehead before standing up. "I'll assure the press that everything is alright."

Once she's out of earshot, I look at the other guys, "I can't be the only one who's still worried, right? People don't just mysteriously pass out."

"Well, Misako is usually right. Besides, none of us are normal people, especially them," Cole shrugs. Suddenly, the door to our little side-stage area opens up. The Jade Princess herself walks into the room. The four of us move quickly to try to block the fact that both Wu and Garmadon also passed out.

"Please pardon my intrusion. I just came to check on the Green Ninja, but it appears there are others who also fainted," she peers around us. "Is everything well?"

"Yep, everything is just peachy," Jay says, trying to rest his arm on my shoulder to look more casual. I send him a quick glare and shrug it off.

"My royal tutors gave me several lessons on nursing. I can check up on them, but only if you allow it," she offers softly.

"I come equipped with a health scanner, but thank you for the offer, Princess. All is well with them," Zane explains, confusing her.

"If all is well, then why did Lloyd faint onstage?" she asks curiously.

"Kai's birthday was yesterday , and everyone is super tired from it, like super tired. Lloyd just couldn't help himself," Jay lies horribly, putting extra emphasis on "super".

"Happy belated birthday, fire ninja," she curtsies.

Suddenly, Lloyd, Garmadon, and Wu all jolt up, waking up at the same time. While Lloyd looks confused, both Garmadon and Wu look solemn. "Hey, where's the papara...oh, hi Princess," Lloyd awkwardly gives her a wave, making me raise an eyebrow.

"I'm happy to see you've woken up," she says politely, a little giggle in her voice.

"Boys, we must get going," Garmadon insists, standing up as if he hadn't just passed out minutes ago.

"Are you sure that is wise? You are always welcome to rest back at the palace," the princess offers. While Lloyd looks like he wants to say something, the look his dad gives him keeps him quiet.

"We really should be on our way, but thank you for your hospitality," Wu says politely.

Misako walks back into the room, a smile on her face, "You're all awake. Let's get in our way, shall we?" We all follow them as they go to walk out of the room. I go to help Lloyd, but he gets up by himself, brushing off his gi.

"Thank you for your offer, Princess. We'll definitely take it up another time," Lloyd gives her a nervous smile as we walk past. She gets a large smile on her face.

"It's no problem, and please, call me Harumi. Are you going to be attending the banquet at the museum next week that celebrates you all?"

"Yeah, we are."

"I'm excited to see you there."

---

Once we reach the Bounty, both Wu and Garmadon look scared and worried. Their looks of unease fuel my own unease, and they surely fuel Jay's, who looks like he's on the verge of a signature Jay breakdown.

"Misako, my dear, can you fly the Bounty to the Explorer's Club?" Garmadon asks her. She nods, giving her husband a quick kiss before rushing to go behind the wheel.

"What's going on, Master Wu?" Cole asks him softly. He sighs.

"Sit. We will explain everything," he instructs, and all five of us listen, taking a seat on the couch.

"A long time ago, there were two women who were capable of great evil. They were daughters of the Overlord, the older gifted with dark powers and the other powerless. Together, the two had the potential for darkness.

However, love comes at the most inopportune times. The oldest daughter fell head over heels for my father, The First Spinjitzu Master. She was obsessed with him, although he was her opposite. He, on the other hand, had fallen in love with another woman, my mother," Wu explains, looking over to his brother several times.

"Together, the two sisters planned an attack against our mother. If they were to take her out, Mara, the oldest sister, could have him all to ourself. Somehow, my father found out, and he was furious.

When the attack happened, he was prepared. He had created a realm, an exact copy of Ninjago, just with no humans or animals. Mara attempted to kill my mother, but when she did so, my father banished her to that realm for the rest of eternity with a spell. She's locked in, unable to leave, inside her own prison realm," Garmadon explains.

"If she's trapped, then why is she a problem?" Jay asks.

"Because her sister was never trapped. She still roamed Ninjago, trying to find a way to get her sister out. Finally, after centuries, she discovered the one thing that was powerful enough to free her sister, the Emerald of Energy.

There was one problem though. It could only be formed by combing four powerful gemstones that were hidden all around Ninjago. To complicate this even more, the gemstones are only visible and obtainable every 30 years when the realms align.

She tried on her own to collect them, and failed miserably. Next time, she gathered a generation of young elemental masters, between ages 7 and 10, to train. Her and her sister trained them in this prison realm, traveling to and from there with travelers tea.

When the elemental masters were of age and the realms aligned, the sister and her students all came to Ninjago with the objective of getting the gemstones to bring back. Long story short, they didn't succeed. Another team stepped up and was able to pull through with something lucky. The team trained by the sisters then went into our world and started their own lives, being introduced to the light," Wu continues the story. It aligns with something deep in my memory, and my eyes widen.

"You two were on the team that saved Ninjago, right? Along with my father, and the past master of ice?" I ask them, surprising both of them.

"How do you know?"

"My father used to tell it to me as a bed time story. I never believed it until now," I admit, leaning back against the couch.

"Then I'm sure you know your mother was on the other team. Along of her were the masters of lightning and earth, along with the masters of amber and smoke," Wu says, and both Jay and Cole's eyes widen.

"Thirty years have passed since all of that happened, meaning that the gems should be materializing soon. We're going to the location of the first gemstone, the Scolecite of Ice. The realms begin their alignment at 8 tonight, so that's when you'll be able to find it. If the five of you can get and protect even one gemstone for the duration of the alignment, Ninjago will be safe," Garmadon picks back up on the objective.

"The sister is already in Ninjago with her team of elemental masters she's been training. They're brainwashed, but highly skilled. My father put in a security measure on his spell, so if there was ever an immense amount of power entering or exiting the prison realm at a time, his descendants would temporarily, out of the blue, briefly lose consciousness. It's meant to give a warning, and it did. They do not know that we know they're here.

If you run into the elemental masters, don't hurt them. They're confused. Just make sure you get a gemstone, but preventing any unnecessary pain is good. If you ever spot the sister, however, you have permission to go after her. Her name is Ciara. She is the woman who went through and killed her entire past team. She doesn't deserve mercy," Garmadon says the last part more intensely than the rest of the talk.

At the sound of her name, my blood runs cold. Ciara is the most vile human to ever live. She took everything from me, and apparently, she also took a lot from Jay and Cole.

"Sh-she killed our moms?" Jay asks timidly, tears welling up in his eyes. Wu sighs and nods.

"I was hoping to share that information at a different time," he sends a quick look to his brother,"but it is true."

"We're going to do everything in our power to stop her," Cole speaks for all of us,"for all of the people she's killed."

---

Nya's POV

"Why aren't we...I don't know...getting the gemstones?" Skylor asks when we park the ship above some store, a place where you can get goods and supplies in exchange for money.

"We don't necessarily blend in right now. I need you guys to look like teenage girls who live in Ninjago. Plus, I need to gather food and other supplies. We can spend an hour or so in there. The Scolecite of Ice doesn't form for several more hours anyways," Auntie informs us. The store looks deserted, with only one car in the parking lot, even though the store is huge.

"Ooo, all of my magazines say that shopping is super fun," Seliel smiles, clasping her hands together happily.

"That's the spirit. Now, you all need to get some more clothing. Make sure to also get some fancy dresses, high heels, and wetsuits," she instructs us.

"Why do we need all that stuff?" Chamille asks, confused.

"You'll need it for the mission. Just trust me on it."

---

"Oh my gosh, this dress would look so cute on you," Chamille rushes over with a two piece, orange dress. The top part is decorated with lots of silver gems.

Skylor looks at it skeptically,"Aren't dresses supposed to be one piece?"

"Nope. This is trendy. Seliel has seen it in some of her magazines, but none of those models are even going to compare to how you look in it," she hands Skylor the dress. Skylor goes to protest, but Chamille already walks off.

None of us would've thought that shopping is so draining, but it is. We've been in here for over two hours, and we've already tried on dozens of outfits. We have all of our casual clothes, which Skylor insisted we should still be able to fight in, much to the dismay of Chamille and Seliel.

"Will you two tell me if I look stupid?" Skylor asks, looking down at her dress. PIXAL and I nod, already having all of our clothing.

"Of course," I give her a smile. She sighs before entering the dressing room once again. "It's so weird actually being in Ninjago. It never seemed like a real place."

"I agree, however, I believe there is something more pressing. Nya, something obscure happened to me when we crossed into this realm," PIXAL admits, looking down at the ground.

"What happened?"

"It was as if I was given infinite knowledge. It feels as if I have access to every single bit of information," she sighs.

"But isn't that a good thing? I'd love to suddenly know everything," I try to comfort her, wrapping my arm around her.

"Yes, but I want to know where it comes from. I can find no logical explanation," she looks forward, deep in thought.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out," I give her a side hug, which she returns.

"I feel dumb," Skylor admits as she walks out. As soon as they hear her, both Chamille and Seliel rush over.

"Oh my gosh Skylor, you're so pretty. That dress looks great on you," Seliel smiles. "That was a great choice, Chamille."

"Seliel's right. It looks great on you," I reassure her. She looks down at the dress.

"If I say yes, will we be done?" Skylor asks. Seliel and Chamille nod in unison. "In that case, I'll go with it. Just let me get changed."

---

We walk up to a little stand where a weird looking lady stands. Apparently, we're supposed to go here to pay for the clothes that we're getting. Auntie gave us a card to give to whoever was behind the counter that will cover the costs.

"Wow, you guys got a lot of clothes," the weird looking lady says with an uncomfortably deep voice. Her hair is cropped short, and she's extremely tall. Her limbs are lanky, and her build looks unlike any of ours, with a flat chest and a wide waist. There's also hair coming out of her chin, but only a bit of stubble.

"Yeah, big things are happening," Seliel says as the person, known as a cashier, scans all of our items. In between items, they keep looking up at Seliel. Once they notice what they're doing, they blush.

"I'm sorry, you're just really pretty," the cashier scratches the back of their neck. "Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?"

"A what?" Seliel asks, confused, just like the rest of us.

"You know, a romantic partner. They're someone you go on dates with and you're attracted to. You hold hands, and kiss, and other stuff. Depending on if you're attracted to boys or girls, you'll have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, and it can also be unlabeled," the cashier explains. At the b word, all of us perk up with the exception of PIXAL.

"Did you say 'boy'?" Skylor asks, leaning against the counter.

"Um, yeah," the cashier answers, confused. They continue putting our clothes in bags.

"What's a boy?" Seliel asks. The cashier looks dumbfounded.

"Look, if you're not interested, you could've told me. You don't need to play dumb."

"No, please explain, what's a boy?"

"Um, I don't really know how to explain it. There's girls, which are one subset or humans, and there's boys, which are another subset. Boys are typically more masculine, considering their body naturally makes more testosterone which leads to muscles appearing bigger, and facial hair, and all that good stuff. They have a slightly different anatomy than girls as well. Outside of labs, both are needed for reproduction," they explains to us, we nod, but it sounds crazy.

"Are...you a boy?" Seliel asks. The cashier nods.

"Are you all okay?" they seem concerned now. "I mean, you're all at least older teenagers, and you don't know this stuff?"

"Let's just say we had a sheltered childhood," Skylor explains vaguely.

"Where did you all grow up? I know some of the towns here are a bit crazy, but an all female town is something else," they lean against the counter, handing us our last bag.

"We grew up in a monastery with our mother and aunt," I explain.

"Oooooh, you lived in a monastery, just like the ninja!" the cashier explains.

At the mention of the ninja, Seliel's eyes light up. Ever since she got that first magazine that mentioned them, she's been completely obsessed with them, searching all of her magazines after for anything about them. I still think she hopes we'll be able to meet them.

"The ninja, are they here?" she asks, excited. The cashier laughs.

"Nah, they were in the city receiving some sort of award. I watched in on my BorgPhone. It stopped airing when Lloyd passed out, poor guy. Kai posted that he's okay though, which is a relief."

"Lloyd?" Seliel questions. The cashier looks confused yet again.

"Yeah, as in the Green Ninja, the one who saved all of Ninjago, Lloyd."

"We should get back to Auntie. It is nearing our departure time," PIXAL suggests. Seliel hands the cashier the little plastic card Auntie gave us. They swipe it in some sort of machine, and we grab all of our bags before walking out of the store.

"Do you think we should confront Auntie on why she never told us that there was a whole other type of human?" Chamille asks Skylor.

"Definitely."

A/N Sorry it was several hours late, but at least it was a long chapter! I got rid of the chapter after this one, so I merged the shopping scene with this chapter since I still wanted it.

Next chapter is one of my favorite chapters in the book (I'm already SUPER excited to write it). The girls and the guys maaay or may not interact for the first time in the book.

Harumi made an appearance! I bet you guys weren't expecting that

There were so many parts of this chapter that I was unsure about, but oh well. They're in there. I also wrote part of it while being so tired that I couldn't even focus, so sorry if you got confused at times. I tried to go through and fix the mistakes.

If any of you guys have questions about anything that happened this chapter, please ask! I want to make sure everyone knows what's going on since it was a bit confusing 

I've watched episodes 1-5 of MotM, and I've really enjoyed them so far. I'm not going to say anything about it since I know a lot of people haven't watched it (I swear I can't look at my announcements without getting spoilers), but I really like it.

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Make sure you comment, vote, and share