The sun hung low over the hills as the Ninja gathered in the courtyard of the Monastery of Spinjitzu. A tense air settled among them as they prepared for their usual training. But before anyone could speak, a sharp whistle cut through the calm.The gates creaked open, and Tanna stumbled in, her cloak tattered and her breathing ragged. She clutched her side, scanning the team with urgency."Tanna?" Ceiline stepped forward, concern flashing across his face. "What's going on?""There's no time," Tanna rasped, her voice trembling but resolute. "A new enemy is on the rise. They're creating... masks. Masks with the power to corrupt anyone who wears them!""Evil masks?" Lloyd frowned, his green eyes narrowing. "What kind of corruption?""They twist your mind,what else you think?" Tanna continued, taking a shaky frustrated breathAs her words hung heavy in the air, the sound of footsteps interrupted. Sora and Oranara entered the courtyard, both visibly shaken but unharmed, new face definitely rised Ninja curiosity"Don't worry, he's a friend" Sora spoke"hi :_D" Oranara said flatly, but with a faint smileKaia squinted at him. "Wait a second... didn't Ceiline destroy their power source for those masks? How are they still being made?""Who's they?" Wyldfyre asked, crossing her arms."Oh, just someone who looks like a cyber version of Cole," Kaia said with a smirk, "and some other dude who was supposed to kill me but couldn't because he was simping too hard or something. It was... definitely not comfortable." She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood."They have a third member too," Tanna said solemnly.The Ninja raised their eyebrows in unison."My sister," Tanna admitted, her voice heavy with pain. "But... I don't think it's really her. That cyber half-mask might be controlling her somehow. I wish I could prove it... and save her... but I can't."Kaia froze for a moment, Tanna's words tugging at something buried in her memory. The feeling was familiar, unsettling. She shook her head as a faint buzz cut through the tension.Her phone vibrated in her pocket.ninjas giving her an annoyed glance"Sorry, it's my brother. I've got to answer this," she said, stepping inside.Kaia swiped the call open, and Orano's voice crackled on the line."Kaia, are you there?" he asked, his tone urgent."Yeah, I'm here. What's up?" Kaia replied, lowering her voice as she walked to a quieter corner of the courtyard."I've found something strange," Orano said. "In the Shintaro caves."Kaia frowned. "Strange? Don't tell me it's more Vengestone. We've had enough of that already."

"No, it's not Vengestone," Orano said, his voice grave. "It's... some kind of blue liquid. It's glowing, almost like it's alive. And the air around it feels... wrong. I feel this is might be same liquid what activated the masks, I thought you'd want to know"Kaia's heart skipped a beat at Orano's words. "Blue liquid that feels... alive?" she repeated, her mind racing. "Wait, did you tell Dr. Rein? He's the expert on weird, glowy stuff, right? Well that's what you told me about him, What does he think it is?"There was a pause, and Kaia could hear Orano take a deep breath on the other end of the line. "That's the thing," he said slowly. "I haven't told him yet. He's been... weird lately. Distant. I feel like he's ignoring me, and it feels awful "Kaia furrowed her brow. "Ignoring you? That's not like him at all. Did you try going to his lab? Maybe he's just—""I've tried, woman! I tried!" Orano cut her off, his voice tinged with frustration. "I've been trying to reach him for days, Kaia. He either locked the door, or telling me to go away before i even have chanche to open the door. I didn't want to bother him with this until I was sure, but now... I don't even know. Something feels off.""There's one more thing," Orano added, his voice dropping lower. "I think... I think Mom might have something to do with this."Kaia stiffened, gripping her phone tightly. "What? Mom? Why would you even think that?"Orano hesitated, then sighed. "It's just a hunch, okay? But when I was in the caves, I found this... mark. Like a symbol. It's the same one I've seen in some of Mom's old research notes and her medalion. I don't know what it means yet, but I can't shake the feeling that she's connected to this somehow. Because i must say, finding mom's symbol in Shintaro is most unexpected place for me, i swear ever since i became a king, everything got lot stranger, my boyfriend is ignoring me, our mom's symbol is all over the place, Kaia i don't even know what to do anymore ""Orano, listen to me," Kaia said firmly. "if mom has some connection to this blue liquid, and what you said about it is true...are you 100% sure you know what your saying?""be careful, okay? If Mom is involved in this, she might be bigger fish than we think. You need to talk to her" Orano spokeKaia leaned against the cold stone wall, her pulse quickening. "Orano," she said hesitantly, "is that really a good idea? Mom's in jail for a reason. You know what she's capable of. I don't think I'm ready to face her again.""Kaia, I get it," Orano replied, his tone softening. "I know how you feel about her. But if she's connected to this—and I have a strong feeling she is—we need answers. You're the only one who can get them. Unlike me.You're still a ninja. This is your job."

Kaia swallowed hard. "You make it sound so easy. Just waltz into a prison and have a nice little chat with our evil mom. I haven't seen her since... since she tried to—" She stopped, unable to finish the sentence.

"Kaia," Orano interrupted gently, "I know it's not easy. I know how much she hurt you—hurt us. But this isn't just about us anymore. If that liquid is as dangerous as I think it is, we can't afford to ignore any leads. You don't have to forgive her. You just have to talk to her. Just once."Kaia closed her eyes, gripping her phone tighter. "I don't want to go," she whispered, her voice barely audible."I know you don't," Orano said, his voice filled with understanding. "But you're stronger than you think. And you're not doing this alone. I'm just a call away. If anything feels wrong, you bail. No questions asked.and you can take any other ninja with you anyway"Kaia bit her lip, her thoughts spinning. "Fine," she said at last, her voice shaky but resolute. "I'll go. But if this goes south, I'm blaming you."Orano chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Thanks, Kaia. I owe you one.""You owe me a lot more than one," Kaia muttered, her tone half-joking.Orano laughed again, then grew serious. "Stay safe, okay? Let me know the second you're out of there.""I will," Kaia promised."Good. I'll let you go now. Me and doctor will have a nice little chat, im tired of pretending everythings fine, i need to know whats truly going on" Orano said before hanging up.Kaia lowered her phone, staring at the blank screen for a moment before putting it back in her pocket "I don't want to...but I'm coming for you. Mama"