Nya returned home later that night, entering her room quietly and resting on her bed. She took a deep breath in before shakily exhaling, a flow of tears coming with it.

The Venomari were nowhere to be seen, no matter how far and wide she searched in and around their tomb. Nya decided then, since her portion of the mission had already run off, to go help Jay. Sensei had told her not to, but Nya knew that most times there were some things that didn't always go according to plan.

As soon as she heard that Jay was facing not only the Fangpyre's massive army, but her brother as well, Nya knew it was a huge risk.

To have Jay yell at her, scold her... it hurt. Badly. If she had the mask off, she knew he wouldn't have taken out his anger on her as much.

He thought you were a stranger. She reminded herself. He thought you were another man. Don't take it hard. Don't cry. Don't be weak.

To hear that she fucked up Jay's mission and let the Fangpyre and her brother get away... that was what really hurt her.

I should've just stayed behind. I shouldn't have helped him. He was fine on his own. He was fine.

Nya swallowed and wiped her eyes, trying to calm herself down. God, since when did I cry so much? She sat up and surveyed her pillow. Master of Water... more like Master of Tears. I'm so fucking weak.

She slid out of bed and entered the bathroom, rinsing off her face. Her eyes were already growing puffy, but Nya knew she could cover that up easily. I'm used to it, anyway.

The ninja were making their return once she walked onto the deck, all looking tired and disappointed.

Cole and Zane were covered in dirt and out of breath. "Nya." Cole coughed, walking towards her. "Did you have any luck with the Venomari?"

"They weren't there." Nya spoke quietly. "I searched everywhere but they were gone."

"It was the same for us." Zane squinted at her for a moment. "The venom from the bog must have affected your vision, or at least, triggered an allergic reaction."

"Huh?" Nya touched her eyes, remembering the puffiness. "Oh that- oh, yeah. That's most likely it."

Zane's cold fingers rested on her cheeks as he examined her face. "My scanners are damaged, but I believe the swelling should go down in a few hours. It is only a minor inflammation."

"Thanks, Zane." Nya mumbled quietly. She hugged her uniform a little more closely to her body as the chill of the night air nipped at her skin. "Where's Jay? I thought he was-" She cut herself off, remembering it was Samurai X that dropped off Jay on the deck, not Nya.

"He isn't here yet?" Cole glanced around. "Should've been back way before us. He had the easiest mission."

Nya winced. "Oh. Maybe... it didn't go so well."

"Shit, maybe you're right..." Cole unsheathed his scythe. "We should go look for him."

"No need, I see his glider." Zane spoke up, pointing ahead. "I sense there is no danger. He's taking his time to land."

"Jeez, then why the hell did he take so long?" Cole put away his weapon and waved to Jay as he hovered over the deck and landed.

"Sorry I took so long." Jay frowned, catching up to their group.

"Your mission didn't go so well either, huh?" Cole asked, patting his back.

"No, actually. It went pretty well." Jay's eyes were focused on the deck, his mind at work. "They all started to attack each other because of the rumors I spread. Kai and the General were going at it too."

"But...?" Nya inquired, knowing there was more to the story.

"This giant... metal man..." Jay shook his head. "It was this huge mech, with all kinds of weapons and giant swords, cutting down the troops like they were nothing!"

"A robot?" Zane frowned, motioning for Jay to sit down.

"No, no, it was a mech. Some guy was controlling it. I could barely make out his face because he was wearing bulky armor with all kinds of plates on it and huge goggles and this helmet and mask. It almost looked like a face itself, like this gross demon thing."

"It sounds like a samurai." Zane assessed. "From the way you're describing the armor."

Nya nodded. "Yeah, I- I think so too. That's what it sounds like."

"I don't care what it's called." Jay huffed. "I hate him. He ruined my mission and once I confront him, he has the nerve to spray this knockout gas at me. I'm lucky he dropped me off here on the deck."

"You didn't stay?" Nya asked, trying to ignore what Jay just said about her.

"No way. As soon as I woke up, I left, going to look for him." He sighed heavily. "I guess it was too late. The dude vanished, like a ghost. No traces of him or anything."

Good. Nya thought. Last thing I need right now is my two worlds colliding.

"This guy sounds pretty intense." Cole frowned. "You think he's rubbing elbows with Garmadon? Or maybe the Serpentine or Pythor? Kai?"

"No, no." Jay shook his head. "He seemed totally against the Fangpyre and Kai. Froze up when he saw Kai though."

Nya swallowed and looked down. It was true, but she had a good reason to. Kai looked... terrifying. He had done something to himself, something truly evil.

"Oh yeah, he apologized to me too. Genuinely." Jay frowned. "If he hadn't knocked me out, I would've been willing to talk it out with him."

"Maybe he was scared you were going to unmask him." Nya suggested. To be fair, it was what she was truly afraid of.

"Yeah. Maybe." Jay stood up, nodding towards the control room. "Let's go see what Pythor is up to. I know we're supposed to avoid listening to rumors, but I heard something about a huge Serpentine gathering in Ninjago City."
-
"Serpentine gathering. You're shitting me." Kai followed Fangtom along as the Fangpyre troops advanced towards Ninjago City.

"I thought you were going to fight the Hypnobrai! Why are you suddenly so interested in this Pythor guy?"

Fangtom slithered down the path. "I will admit, I was prepared for a war. That is, until I discovered Skales was now General. He and I go way back."

"You're kidding me." Kai growled in frustration. "You don't even want to attack that giant metal thing that slaughtered a quarter of your troops?!"

"Number one rule of the Fangpyre; strength comes in numbers." Fangtom's eyes focused ahead. "With all of the Serpentine combined, plus your tactics and Pythor's command, we shall conquer all. Ninja, metal men, everyone."

"What's so great about this Pythor guy, anyway?" Kai huffed. "Plus, I don't know half of the Serpentine like I know the Fangpyre. How will I know they'll accept me like you have?"

"Pythor is an Anacondrai, the most powerful of the Serpentine. If anyone knows how to command a great army, it's him." Fangtom's heads turned towards Kai. "And if you feel you will have trouble fitting in, then perhaps you should reconsider your position. Remember, you are at the Serpentine's mercy. Not the other way around."

Kai swallowed and glanced ahead, knowing that he was trapped, no matter which way he chose.
-
"I am most impressed with your performance, Nya." The Samurai's disguised voice purred in Nya's ear.

"Did you really have to call me now, Master?" Nya asked. "We're about to leave!"

"Temper, temper." They scolded, before melting into a light chuckle. "If it means attacking those worthless snakes, then go with the ninja. When you return, I want you to come back to the cave and make improvements upon your weapons. Tomorrow is a big day for you."

"Master?" Nya wasn't sure what she was asking, but she didn't want to end the call on that note.

"Nya..."

"I... I've been loyal to you. I've hidden this identity away from the ones I love." She glanced down. "Once they find out the truth, it won't be pretty."

"Exactly why I want you to trust me only. Those ninja are wicked and judgmental, quick to turn. They will betray you."

"Master..." Nya continued, swallowing.

"Yes, Nya?"

"I've done so much for you, I'm lying to everyone because I am loyal to you. Please, Master..." Nya's heart began to beat quickly. "Please, show me who you are."

The Samurai chuckled on the other end. "Very well then, my most loyal warrior. I will show you my face tomorrow at the cave. Tomorrow will be a big day for the two of us."

"Thank you, Master." Nya whispered, clutching onto the communicator.

Silence. And then, a click.
-
"The tribes are ready to hear you speak, Pythor." Skales hissed. "The Fangpyre just arrived."

"Were you sure to meet with your old chum, erm... what was his name?"

"Fangtom, sir." Skales smiled. "He and I go way back. Because of my current position, he is willing to help us unite the tribes."

"Excellent." Pythor chuckled. "With the Fangpyre on our side, we now have access to weapons and vehicles, much more advanced than the ones we used in the war."

"There is one more thing, sir." Skales' smile fell. "A... human is among them."

"One that is turning Serpentine?"

"No. According to Fangtom, he cannot be turned. He is not human anymore, something else and far worse." His eyes narrowed. "He once led my tribe, not too long ago. He goes by the name of... Kai."

"Kai." Pythor's pink eyes widened. "Now that sounds awfully familiar. How large of a threat is he?"

"Non-existent, my lord." A voice behind them spoke up. The two snakes turned and gasped.

Kai bowed before Pythor. "My lord, I swear on my parents' graves I am loyal to the Serpentine. My current form does not allow me to be harmed by any snake, but I will not turn. I have nowhere else to go."

"You aren't a human." Pythor hissed, cautiously slithering around Kai. He took Kai's chin into his claws, observing his features. "I haven't seen something like this in years. Dark matter..."

"Yes, my lord. I was cursed by Lord Garmadon and the Weapons of Spinjitzu. I had to consume dark matter in order to live."

"You've not only consumed it, my boy..." Pythor breathed. "You've practically become it."

"I... I don't understand what I did, but I'm stronger now, and I won't need to rely on it any longer. I will do whatever it takes to destroy the ninja."

"A cunning warrior indeed." Pythor slithered back, preparing his speech. "Get up. You and Skales will both be my second-in-command."

Kai walked next to Pythor. "Sir, I am only a human."

"No." Pythor smirked. "You are a monster. Welcome to the army that will bring about end of Ninjago."
-
The ninja had crawled underground, listening to the beginning of Pythor's speech. "What's the Great Devourer?" Nya asked, looking to the others.

"There was a mural of it in the Constrictai tomb." Zane informed her. "A legendary large snake that would bring about the end of the world and consume everything in its path."

"Jesus. We need to stop that from happening." Jay whispered. He glanced around, swallowing. "How the hell are we gonna take this place out? There's so many of them!"

"The destructive power of rumors." Nya smirked. "Should be easy enough. You guys got a rope?"

Once they found a long rope in the rafters, Nya tied it around her and lowered herself down, whispering rumors amongst the tribes. Soon enough, the other ninja followed her, coming up with the most ridiculous insults.

In no time at all, the Serpentine were at each other's throats. Nya giggled, rushing to meet the others. "I think we've got it taken care of. Pythor looks pissed."

Jay grinned and hugged her, only to pull away. "Oh shit- Nya, Kai's with them!"

Cole frowned. "You're right, he's standing next to Pythor and Skales. Jesus, what happened to him?"

"What is it?" Pythor suddenly growled at Kai and Skales. "Why am I losing them?!"

Zane pushed them along. "We have to get out of here, before they notice-"

"NYA!" Kai's voice boomed, echoing throughout the tunnel.

Nya froze in place, her heart beating. All eyes turned towards the ninja.

"Go!" Cole cried out. Jay grabbed Nya's hand and pulled her along. Zane tossed his shurikens down the hall, freezing the tunnel solid. He summoned his snowmobile and motioned for the others to jump on.

"Hurry! Before Kai melts the ice!"

The other three hopped on, holding on tightly as Zane sped off. The Serpentine slipped on the ice behind them, screaming after them. The ninja narrowly escaped, just as Kai flung a massive ball of fire at them.

Zane's vehicle transformed back, just as they all tumbled onto the sidewalk. Quickly sealing the sewer cap with a thick sheet of ice, the four ran off, searching for the Bounty.

"That was intense." Cole huffed once they reached the Bounty. "Way too many snakes."

"We're going to have to up our defenses." Nya sighed. "Big time."

Jay took Nya's hand again. "Nya, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag you like that."

"No, it's fine." Nya breathed shakily. "It was just... seeing my brother like that..."

"We have a long battle ahead of us." Zane lowered his eyes.

"As long as we stick together, nothing's gonna hurt us." Cole pulled them all in for a hug.

"Yeah." Nya smiled, but deep down she knew this was only the beginning. Pythor, the Samurai, Garmadon, Kai, the Great Devourer, the Serpentine... it was a wonder they were alive.