"I wouldn't go near that thing if I were you." Skales warned the master of fire, slithering behind him. "Even as a scaled beast myself, I would never attempt to tame a dragon."

Kai waved Skales away. "If you're so afraid, then go back with your army. This is a personal matter anyway. You don't need to concern yourself with this."

Skales huffed and let Kai alone, slithering back to Lloyd and the army, making sure to show off his new form with each twist of his torso.

Kai stood at the entrance of the fire temple, taking in a deep breath. The smoke from the great volcano didn't seem to affect him at all, instead making him stronger. He breathed in the musk and pushed open the maroon doors, lifting his chin up as he basked in the wave of heat that hit him.

A deep growl echoed throughout the temple as the guardian leapt from its post, landing in front of him with a thunderous boom. The beast snarled at him, backing away.

"Are you afraid of me, dragon?" Kai whispered, the corners of his mouth pulling into a smug grin. "You're five times my size, and yet you cower at me." He moved closer to the creature, holding up his hands. "Are you afraid to succumb to me, my pet?"

The dragon tucked its head into its shoulders, agitated. It whined softly, curling its tail around the stone that once held the Sword of Fire.

"You miss it, don't you? You miss having a mission, a purpose." Kai paced the floor in front of the beast, still locking eyes with it. "Dragons are loyal creatures. You feel as if you failed your master."

The guardian seemed to whimper in response, raising its wings defensively. Kai laughed at this.

"There's no need to feel guilt, my pet." He held out a hand, letting it take in his scent. "I am your master now. It is time for us to obtain the Sword to its rightful owner."
-
Nya ignored the knowing smirk from Cole as she pushed past him to grab breakfast.

"Must've been some concussion, little sis. I could hear you moaning all n-"

Nya elbowed him in the stomach, cutting him off. "That's enough." She huffed, clearing her throat. She pursed her lips as she remembered what had happened the day before. "... How are you, by the way? I didn't get a chance to see you or the others."

Cole's face fell as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Better, a lot better. I'm sorry, Nya, I should have known the snake hypnotized me. I wish I could take everything I did back."

Nya held his hand and smiled softly. "There's no need to apologize, Cole. It wasn't your fault." She stirred her oatmeal and sighed. "Even if something awful happened to me or the others, the team could never blame you."

"Really?" Cole asked glumly, lowering his eyes. "I feel like Jay would've killed me."

"Maybe." Nya smiled to herself at the sound of his name before shaking her head. "I-I was kidding." She reassured him. "Don't worry, Cole, everything worked out in the end."

He looked up at her with a weak smile. "I can see why you're the better leader. I guess I was too selfless. I didn't even realize I was a danger to you all by hiding it."

Nya looked into his eyes, her stomach sinking. "That isn't true, Cole; you're an excellent leader, solid as a rock. I'm impulsive and negative. There's no way I could be a positive influence to any once, much less a stable leader."

"Eh... thank you." He smiled warmly and hugged her tightly, reminding Nya of their first meeting where he had nearly crushed her to death.

She laughed and pulled away. "You're too strong. I can't breathe." She took a mouthful of oatmeal and swallowed, staring at the wall in front of her. So much has changed. She reflected, stirring. The Samurai... I wonder who they could be...

"Nya, listen to me." Cole had spoken suddenly. "Let's not focus on leadership anymore. It's only tearing our team apart."

Nya looked up at him, shocked. "Don't we... need a leader?"

"Not necessarily, at least in my eyes." Cole glanced down, laughing. "Unless Sensei randomly tells us we need some kind of powerful leader to fight the forces of evil."

"Guys!" Jay's voice echoed in the distance before he scrambled into the kitchen, his eyes wide with shock and delight. "You've gotta see this!"

Cole crossed his arms, the smirk returning. "Ah, if it isn't our man of the ho- AH!"

Jay grabbed his arm and yanked him forward, grabbing Nya's hand as well. "Quickly, you guys! Sensei's telling us about some awesome legendary hero!"
-
"The Green Ninja?" Nya repeated the hero's name quietly as Sensei finished telling the legend. "But... will we know who they are?" Nya's mind was already at work, wondering if the Samurai had something to do with this mysterious warrior.

Sensei sighed. "The truth is, I do not know. They could be one of you, or they could be someone completely different. Another elemental master."

The room grew quiet, and Nya knew what they were all thinking.

"Sensei..." Zane began softly. "Is Kai the Green Ninja?"

Sensei shook his head. "Again, there is no telling. Remember that heroes can come in many forms, and from many backgrounds, my students." He nodded to Cole, Zane, and Jay.

"You were once servants to Garmadon." Nya continued for him. "We believed you could be redeemed, and we should think the same way for Kai's sake." The sudden positivity from her left her with an unusual glow. Hope?

"Yes." Sensei agreed with a smile, standing up. "That is to say, we do not know if Kai will be the Green Ninja at all. It could be one of you, or someone we do not know. Someone untrained, perhaps."

"Untrained?" Jay's eyes widened. "How are we supposed to follow orders from someone if they don't know how to lead?!"

"Everything takes time, Jay." Sensei chuckled softly at the lightning ninja's antics. "The battle between the Green Ninja and Garmadon may not come for years. The prophecy does not state anything else."

The ninja all began to debate their qualities as Nya held her knees, still thinking about the Samurai. Would they call her in today? Sensei had told her to stay home from the scouting mission today, so she could stop by and start working on some tech in the cave.

She was so deep in thought that she hadn't noticed Jay staring at her. "Nya? Hello?" He was poking her head lightly, causing her to laugh.

"I'm sorry, I must have been lost in thought." Nya smiled softly at him, resting her head against his shoulder. "About last night, Jay..." She began quietly. "I wasn't feeling like myself. I suppose it was a combination of the accident, my anger, and..."

"Your undying love for me." Jay teased her, kissing her flushed cheek. "I understand, Water Lily. You don't need to apologize." He hugged her tightly, resting his head on top of hers. "We need to go now. Try to rest up, okay? You need this break."

Nya nodded slowly, anticipating their departure. Soon, she was going to travel to the cave and begin crafting.
-
"There it is, Flame." Kai smirked up at the monastery. "The ninja's home base."

The dragon watched its brothers fly out, letting out a whimper.

"Come on, boy, no one's home." He pointed at the retreating dragons, noting the golden one. "Even Wu's gone. Let's finish this."

He tugged the reins and sent Flame flying upwards, soaring towards the monastery. He waited high above in the clouds, making sure he was out of the ninja's sight.

After nearly an hour passed, he smacked Flame's side and sent him soaring into the monastery. The dragon roared as it made impact with the floor of the ninja's headquarters, the tiles on the roof quaking.

"We're here." He cackled, leaning close to the dragon's head. "Now burn it. Burn it all down."