Once again the team was on the move, back the way they had originally walked. Cole had healed well and was pumped, ready to roll and get the show on the road, though his stoic enthusiasm hadn't quite spread to his other teammates. 

Kai was still in recovery, his wounds had been extensive and even with Cole in command of the blade and its powers, he seemed to have stopped healing. 

Jay was generally in anguish from his disastrous actions and it seemed that his mere existence was fuel enough to keep Kai permanently angry. 

Zane acted as if his logic circuits had decided that there was no hope and was quiet and restrained, even more so than usual.

Between them, their shared need to find Nya was equal but Cole could not find a way to inject any positivity into them, and without it, the journey to the desert would be long and arduous.

The Shaman would journey with them, then part ways to return to Ouroboros. The Serpentine warriors would remain, working together as an allied force to face whatever fight came their way. The fate of Ninjago was theirs to share.

As they readied themselves to leave, the subject of transport had arisen. No Mechs had survived the impact of the island when it crashed to earth so Jay suggested they should try summoning their dragons. With their powers limited, Jay admitted that the pull within him was weak and he found he could not find the links between their realms. Zane was concerned; he wondered if losing Lloyd would have lasting consequences for their powers.

Cole refused to believe what Zane deduced, and felt that out of them all, he would be able to make the summoning. He had not let the Blade leave his side and he felt his power to be stable and his health restored. With the blade he was strong and perhaps he could prise the threads free from the first realm to weave his dragon into this. If he could do this, one dragon would be more than able to transport them all.

The team left him to concentrate on his task. He never normally had to work so hard to call his Dragon but nonetheless he could feel the subtle strand that linked his soul to its realm. All it took was a little pull and the thread should release the dragon to its rider. But that was on a normal day and this day was anything but. He felt his will slip away from the thread as if it were slick with oil and it took all his concentration to grasp it firm. The pull was slow and agonising, but slowly the shimmering creature unfurled its form like petals; opening layer upon layer of iridescent scales, stretching and settling into its gloriously earthy form. Cole smiled. Every time he summoned her he felt a part of him to be set free and he leant in to the rocky creature that gently butted heads with him. If they could ride his dragon it would make the journey so much easier and then perhaps Kai would stop moaning and they might start believing that there would be a future for them again! 

Cole took a test flight around the area to stretch its Rocky's wings. Leaping up on to the Dragins back, the Blade of Ouroboros became heavy and when they took flight it almost yanked him down off of the dragons back. Pulling the blade to him Cole won out, but still it felt like a magnet trying to reach the earth by pulling him from its back. As it glided through the sky Rocky was grumpy and on edge. She bucked and writhed sporadically, disrupting Coles' concentration. It got to the point where they could not initiate any form of lift and the dragon groaned and lost altitude. Cole knew the blade was responsible, he could feel the constant tug to earth and he finally conceded with a heavy heart, that he and his dragon were no longer compatible. He was master of Earth alone, not air.

So they departed on foot. Kai walked as much as he could, but the warriors bundled him onto the stretcher whenever they felt he needed to rest. Kai hated this and protested the whole time 'goddam snakes! Give me some dignity please!' But they continued to pick him up when they felt it necessary and deposited him on the stretcher and moved on. While Jay trudged along like a wounded puppy the sight of Kai being mothered by four burly snake warriors was more than he could bare and could not contain his laughter. He wasn't exactly in Kai's favour and was rapidly becoming Kai's enemy no1 and had to dodge fiery comets on numerous occasions.

Cole on the other hand was fit, healthy and decided he wasn't going to put up with any crap from any of them 'Kai, shut up and lie down. If the good snakes, see fit to carry you like a goddamn fire deity, take it as a compliment and be done with it!'

And Kai was not going to be bossed around by anyone 'Oh! So you gonna come fan me with palm leaves and feed me grapes then?' 

Jay unfortunately couldn't change his personality however much remorse he felt and continually let little snorts of laughter escape at all the sniping. Zane tried to cover for him, coughing at opportune moments and tried to distract Kai, but not always successfully and again Jay became target practice for a very bored and annoyed Kai who's temperature would soar and would start smoking from the stress. Zane would step in to try to soothe him, but would inevitably end up scolding them both like children 'It would be very helpful if you three would stop baiting each other. Kai is not going to heal properly at this rate'

The guilt Jay felt would eventually over-ride his need to misbehave and he would quickly apologise and lapse into silence.

Kai on the other hand was anything but silent 'Oh go suck eggs Zane, I've had enough of this... 'and that' he said pointing at Jay. 

If Kai had had enough then Zane had really had enough. He looked at Cole, threw his hands in the air and walked off.

Coles' enthusiasm for the journey was now well and truly dampened 'Ok, time out guys' The serpents put the stretcher down and gladly went off to talk amongst themselves. Cole came over and looked down at his smoking friend and shook his head in dismay 'What the hell Kai? I know you're pissed about your situation, but man it was so much worse a few days ago. We almost lost you y'know? If it wasn't for the Serpentine and the blade, shit we'd all be lost' Kai quietened down and looked a little sheepish, so Cole continued 'all we have to care about right now is getting to Nya, which I'm sure you can appreciate. Heck! I'm sure there's a hell of a lot more we should be worrying about but quite frankly I'm glad we are ignoring it, because right now we are one sorry bunch of Ninja' Cole looked around at the team, scattered and turned away from each other, sultry looks on all their faces. Cole turned away from them, exhausted from the bickering and looked ahead to the towering structure of Borg Industries Tower. They were back in the city centre now and the towering structure seemed practically untouched by the blast 'Nya was right. Borg is a genius. The fact that sucker is still standing proves it' Cole said to his sulking team 'we're making good time, so if you could all just let that tower inspire you we might just stand up to this... this farce!' and he stomped off 'lets go!' he ordered.

Kai fell back on the stretcher and the serpents picked him up to follow. As they came alongside Cole, Kai spoke quietly 'I just... I can't be like this anymore. I know I'm a lot better, but I don't feel like I'm making any progress now. It's like I'm stuck in this half burnt state. Is this how I'm going to be from now on?'

Cole looked at his friend and sighed 'I don't know dude, only time will tell. The shaman said you would heal through me... So maybe keep me happy and you might get better...' He smiled cheekily and sped up, just in case.

'I walked into that one, didn't I?' Kai shouted at Coles back.

'Yep' Cole laughed back.

Jay and Zane smiled at each other as they walked in the rear and felt the mood to lift slightly. It was getting late in the day and the group pushed on towards Borg Tower where they intended to stay for the night, because if they didn't get a move on they'd be camping out again.

The Shaman pulled Cole aside. 'It is time for me to leave you. The warriors are the Serpentine link to the struggle for the World above ground. They are yours, use them well'

'Thank you' Cole said 'Do you know the fate of Ouroboros?'

'No, Master of Earth, I do not so I need to return. If Pythor is staying true to form he will try to take it. It may have happened already'

'I wish you could stay' said Cole 'you have done so much for us, for me. I don't want you to leave'

'Master of Earth' The shaman spoke with affection 'you have lost your Master and you look for someone to replace him, but I am not the one. You will find them, in time' Cole nodded and watched the shaman as he returned to his warriors. He placed a hand on each of their chest plates and bowed his head to each of them in turn, then looked back to Cole. He raised his staff to him and Cole raised the blade. The shaman turned and left.

Walking up to Borg Tower in the last light of the day was an eerie experience, their footsteps enhanced in the silence. The tower seemed intact and hardly damaged at all which was at odds with the surrounding plaza and buildings that crumbled around them. Nya hadn't been kidding when she said the building could withstand anything!

'I wonder if Borg is still here?' Cole said.

'It seems awfully quiet' said Zane 'not even any drones coming or going'.

Jay walked forward to the entrance 'Well, we've got access permissions, so it doesn't much matter either way'

'Sure, but if Borg's not here, where would he have gone?'

'Well, we should just go in and find out then shouldn't we?' Said Kai impatiently 'Can you put me down now please, I think I can walk into a building unaided!' The stretcher-bearers placed it on the floor and tipped Kai out unceremoniously. Kai smoked with frustration 'Nnnngh! Those snakes are cruisin', I tell ya!' The two warriors looked back at Kai on his hands and knees and snorted the air as their comrades made fast clicking sounds in response.

'Kai, I'm sure I don't need to keep reminding you that the Serpentine are our allies and we would like them to stay that way?' Cole helped him up and looked at Zane whose mind seemed to be somewhere else 'Zane, are you scanning?'

Zane continued his silent stare until he was ready to report 'There's nothing' he said 'It's quiet and still. No sound. No movement. Borg must have moved his operations' elsewhere'

'I don't like it' Jay cut in 'this is the only sound structure for miles around, its prime realty, that just doesn't get ignored in this scenario'

'Jays' right' Said Cole.

'I am?' Jay replied, surprised.

'We treat it as a hostile environment, until proven otherwise. Our powers are still glitching so we need to take care.' Cole said 'Ok people... and serpentine. I want a pyramid formation; I'll take the front. I want two serpentine behind me. Behind them, Jay, Kai and Zane, you line up in that order. Kai, do not use your powers. If it comes to it, try to stay away from a fight; it's too risky for you. Jay and Zane will cover you if needed. The remaining Serpentine, take the back. Hopefully, there's nothing here and so nothing to worry about, but lets just be vigilant until we know'

The group fell into formation and approached via one of the walkways. Inside they saw a lush paradise and an internal moat beyond the glass was the only thing that moved in the deserted space.

'How come we've never come in this way before? It's beautiful' said Jay.

'Well' said Cole 'if this all works out, you can walk here next time too, how'd you like that?'

Jay reconsidered 'Nah, I'll take a photo on the way out' he replied.

A serpent warrior looked down into the lush scene filled with exotic plants and the waters meandering around the moat 'what are those?' he asked pointing into the water. Flashes of brilliant red could be seen between the giant lily pads.

Cole indicated for Zane to take a look and he moved out of formation and looked down into the water 'They are Koi carp' he said 'they are dead' Cole looked along the length of the moat to see it scattered with red dots; the floating bodies of dead fish. He moved back into position at the head of the group and indicated to continue.

Looking along the vast curved glass wall, Cole could not see any doors 'How the hell are we supposed to get in?' he asked no one in particular, then a sudden release of pressure made the group jump and the double-layered walls of glass rotated. An opening appeared and a rush of heat rolled out over them.

Woah! Borg... you could've just put a sweater on dude!' Jay joked.

Cole gave Jay a withering look 'Perhaps the bIast did damage something after all?'

'Ha yeah! It took out the thermostat!'

Cole started to move forward 'I wouldn't have thought Borg would leave his front door unlocked' he mulled.

'He didn't' replied Zane 'I just confirmed our identities with the buildings main frame' Cole slowly turned to him and Zane added 'to save time'

'Nice one!' Cole said as they continued into the pristine minimalist Foyer 'It's hot as hell'

'Not great for me' Said Kai.

'Not great for the fish!' Said Zane.

'Can you do anything about this heat Zane?' Cole asked.

'I have already requested the main frame readjust the heating in the building. It should fall back to a normal temperature, but over such a large area, it may take some time'

'Roger that!' Cole pointed to the two staircases that spiralled up to the mezzanine and indicated that the group split and move to the upper level. As they came to the upper floor they saw the lifeless figures of Borgs Nindroid's 'Thankfully there are no humans' Zane confirmed and he bent down to connect with one of them. He pressed a finger to the nape of a Nindroid's neck and a  connection was made that enabled him to impart enough power to enable Zane to read the nindroids' neural processor. 

The group waited, nervously looking around them, the atmosphere had become tense, the only signs of life had been dead but even though the bodies were fish and robots, it didn't make it any less eerie.

Cole moved to the reception desk to see if it was possible to contact Borg. He saw nothing that resembled a phone or intercom so assumed communication would be as in Borgs' personal suites. Cole had only to talk and Borg would hear. To be honest he didn't know how that worked, so he sat in the chair and said 'Borg' a small circular panel slid open and a sphere the size of a marble floated up 'Borg?' Cole asked.

'Cole' Borgs voice was as clear as if he was standing next to him 'You must leave at once'

'Where are you? What's happened here?'

'Don't worry about me. I'm fine, but you know, slightly preoccupied with... something'

'Can we help?' Cole enquired.

'No Cole, no. I have managed to monitor you a little and I can see your powers are in a state of flux. This is no time for you to be here. Its not...' The communication cut off.

'...Borg? Borg?' Zane came over to the desk 'You got anything?' Cole said to Zane 'because I'm not sure I liked where that conversation was going'

'Not much. The last moments of the nindroids consciousness were confused to say the least. They were moving into the mezzanine to apprehend an intruder or intruders but there's no visual on it. They fell without knowing who or what they were heading into. Their circuits were just... fried!'

'Could be Lloyd' Jay suggested.

'Could he have survived?' Zane asked.

'What do we know about him huh?' said Kai 'not much, so who's to say he couldn't have survived? He's pretty much all powerful, or so it seems'.

'Well' said Jay 'it wasn't the Skeleton Army, that's for sure'

'And why's that?' asked Cole.

Jay grabbed Cole by the shoulders and turned him around. Looking back down the stairs Jay pointed 'Because... they are right outside'