The snakes are digging into the desert soil, searching for something.
"There'sss nothing here, Pythor. We're wasssting our time. Nothing but sssand and dussst," - Skales said as he approached the Anacondrai.
"Keep digging. The Lost City of Ouroboros is down here! I know it!" - the Anacondrai replied, continuing to dig.
"Admit it, you've failed in your firssst attempt to unite the tribesss, and now that you've lossst your band, you've panicked," - Skales said, picking up a shovel and stepping closer.
"Yes, I'm panicking, my disloyal number two, but only by uniting our kind can we free the Great Devourer!" - Pythor exclaimed, raising his arms.
"You put too much faith in legendsss," - Skales rolled his eyes. - "Besssides, all the ssserpents ever do is fight among themssselves."
Pythor ignored Skales words and continued digging until his shovel hit something hard. He brushed the sand away, revealing some sort of lid.
"Skales, I think we've found it," - Pythor said with a smile and activated the mechanism.
Soon, all the sand began to drain away, revealing the Lost City of Ouroboros.
"I present to you the most sought-after lost city! The City of Ouroboros!"-.
It had been some time since Moon and Lloyd had joined the ninjas in fighting the snakes.
"First I stepped on its tail, then when it turned, I smacked its ear. Then, while it was dizzy, I disarmed it," - Lloyd explained his strategy to defeat a Serpentine.
"Too slow. She would have hypnotized you already and you'd be under her control," - Cole said.
"Or you'd already be getting squeezed," - Zane added with a hand gesture.
"Or infected with hallucinogenic venom. Trust me, it's nasty," - Kai said, clearly not fond of the memory.
"Uncle, what's the best way to stun a snake without knowing what kind it is?" - Lloyd asked Sensei Wu curiously.
"Unfortunately, with the Sacred Flute that you all so kindly lost," - Sensei Wu said, sitting down.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! We didn't lose it. Pythor stole it," - Jay quickly explained.
"Still, without it, I fear we have no defense against their powers. We could have stopped them from uniting until now, but they'll try again, and one day they'll be even stronger," - Sensei Wu warned.
"Don't worry, Sensei Wu! I'm close to unlocking my True Potential! When I become the Green Ninja, we won't need the Magic Flute," - Cole boasted arrogantly.
"You? The Green Ninja? Hahahah! Don't make me laugh," - Kai pointed at Cole, annoyed.
"I thought we all agreed I would be the Green Ninja," - Zane said, pointing at himself.
"We only agreed that you, Zane, are weird," - Jay said, glaring at the White Ninja.
"Oh, come on with that!" - They began to argue.
"Alright, alright," - Lloyd got up and walked over to his uncle.
Moon just sighed as she finished eating in silence.
"What's in the box?" - Lloyd asked.
"Your new uniforms," i Sensei Wu said, opening the box and handing them out to the ninjas.
All the ninjas were excited.
"Wow! They've got armor!" - Jay exclaimed, impressed.
"I love the gold detailing!" - Kai was beyond thrilled.
"Battle Claws!" - Cole mimed clawing with his hands.
"The material is light and breathable," - Zane smiled, and Jay found that a little strange.
Moon stayed silent, but it was clear she was happy and admiring her new uniform.
"Ahh, nothing for me?" - Lloyd asked, a little disappointed.
"Ahh, uhh... You get the box?" - Sensei Wu said—or almost asked—handing the box to Lloyd.
Lloyd's expression soured a bit, but there was no time to complain as the alarm system went off.
They all ran to the command bridge.
"Hate to ruin the mood, but a group of our slithery friends is causing trouble at the Mega-Monster Amusement Park," - Cole summarized.
"Amusement park?! Can I go? Please! Let me make things right! I can help!" - Lloyd begged.
"Forgive me, nephew. You must stay—it's safer," - Sensei Wu said, making Lloyd look even more disappointed.
"Ugh, the ninjas get all the fun," - he grumbled.
"I can watch him, Wu. Staying here all the time would bore anyone out of their mind," - Moon bargained with the elder — (He's going to sneak out anyway) —.
Lloyd looked hopeful. Sensei Wu sighed.
"Alright, but he is your full responsibility," - Sensei Wu warned.
"Got it," - she agreed, and Lloyd cheered — (Nya will handle it easily) —.
"Alright, guys, let's try out our new gifts?" - Jay smiled, looking at his new uniform.
"Oh yeah!" -.
o0o0o
"This new thing actually seems like it'll protect us," - Cole was quite pleased.
"And it doesn't hurt our mobility," - Zane said while stretching.
Moon grabbed her weapon and activated its vehicle mode.
"Hop on, Lloyd," - she said, opening the entrance.
Lloyd quickly jumped in with a grin, and Moon took off flying.
"Aren't we waiting for the others?" - he asked her.
"No, they'll catch up," - she replied, already landing.
Lloyd got out of the vehicle, smiling. Moon deactivated the vehicle and saw the Samurai had already captured the snakes.
(Amazing, Nya) — Moon smiled under her mask.
The Samurai turned and handed Moon a white flower with red spots.
"See you later," - he saluted before flying off.
Soon a crowd gathered—number-one fans of the Samurai. He already had a base of fangirls.
"What happened?" - Kai asked Moon.
"The Samurai showed up and solved everything on his own. He gave me this flower," - she showed them the white flower with red spots.
"Why would he give you a flower?" - Jay raised an eyebrow.
Moon shrugged. Nya showed up and gave Lloyd an ice cream.
"Thanks, Nya!" - he grinned.
"You're welcome," - she smiled.
"Nya? You're here?" - Jay was surprised.
"You guys missed it. He came, ended the problem, and flew off," - she explained. - "He's really cool" -.
"I don't want to be a ninja anymore! I want to be a Samurai!" - a child shouted, trying to run from his mother.
"The Samurai is my new hero!" -.
"The Samurai makes the ninjas look bad!" -.
"Ugh! Who is this guy?!" - Kai was clearly not happy.
"Whoever he is, he's stealing our spotlight," - Cole also wasn't pleased.
"And just when we got these cool outfits! Ugh! You know what? I hate samurais!" - Jay crossed his arms.
"Was that jealousy I just heard? Maybe this is a lesson for you all," - Sensei Wu appeared, holding cotton candy.
"Ah no, not another lesson-wait, how'd you get here so fast?!" - Jay demanded.
"The lesson is: iron sharpens iron." -.
"I don't get it, Sensei," - Zane said logically.
"A little healthy competition can help you unlock your powers, like Moon did. Don't be jealous of the Samurai-let him inspire you," - Sensei Wu said calmly, before spotting the Ferris wheel - "Oh! Ferris Wheel!" - and ran off.
"Inspire us?" - Jay questioned.
"Wait a minute, Sensei might be right," - Kai considered.
"You mean compete with the Samurai?! He's got the best gear! We don't stand a chance," - Cole argued.
"No. Not against him--among us. Let's turn this into a challenge. Whoever unmasks the mysterious Samurai..." - Kai held his golden weapon, - "is the best in the team." -.
"So whoever discovers the Samurai's identity is destined to become the Green Ninja! Oh, I love it!" - Jay spun his nunchucks.
"Then it's settled! May the Green Ninja win!" - Cole smiled.
"Guys, I'm pretty sure that's not what Wu meant..." - Moon muttered with a sigh.
"Ninja Go!" -.
o0o0o
"They're everywhere-counted more than once, snakes all around!" – Nya warned.
Zane was on his way to help a village deep in the snowy mountains, but the Samurai got there first and handled everything.
Zane tried to chase after him.
"Rusty pile of junk!" – he muttered.
Kai went to face the Constrictai in a dense forest full of towering trees. His fangirls were cheering loudly-until the Samurai appeared, captured the snakes, and suddenly his fans were cheering for him instead.
"Ninja Go!" – Kai spun forward using Spinjitzu, but mid-air-snap!-a net caught him. -
"Are you serious right now?!" -.
In a cavern, the Samurai took down another group of Serpentine. Cole was there too, hoping to uncover his identity.
"Gotcha now!" – Cole shouted, pointing his golden scythe at him, but before he could land a hit, he was knocked back with ease.
Jay dressed up like a woman blonde wig and all. He laid across some train tracks and cried out in a high-pitched voice, hoping to trap the Samurai in his cartoonishly bad scheme.
The Samurai arrived, calmly replaced the broken rails, rescued Jay, and walked away.
"Ugh! Stupid Samurai!" – Jay yelled in frustration.
Moon was fighting Serpentine in the mountains, but again the Samurai arrived and captured them using nets.
"Nice job" – Moon nodded, then blasted an Aura Sphere at a snake sneaking behind him.
"Nice job" – the Samurai replied before flying off.
o0o0o
Moon took a sip of water from her glass.
"I wish you were looking after me, not Kai," – Lloyd mumbled.
"I'm sorry, Lloyd. I wish that too, but Sen—Wu thought it would be best for you to spend time with each of us." – Moon caught herself before saying "Sensei Wu."
He grumbled and followed Kai, who was more determined than ever to discover the Samurai's true identity.
o0o0o
Moon and Sensei Wu entered the room where the other ninjas were gathered.
"Has anyone seen Lloyd? Kai, I thought you were watching him," – Moon asked.
"I thought Cole was supposed to pick him up," – Kai answered defensively.
"I-I checked the arcade, but he wasn't there. Jay?" – Cole looked at him.
"Don't drag me into this, okay?! I watched him yesterday!" – Jay said, raising his hands.
"Sensei, we haven't seen him," – Zane admitted.
Moon's heart skipped a beat.
(I can't fail. I won't fail in my mission to protect him!) – she thought, panicking.
"We must find the boy," – Sensei Wu said with growing concern.
o0o0o
The ninjas headed to the arcade where Kai had last seen Lloyd and began investigating.
"Hey," – Moon called, staring at a security monitor.
They entered the surveillance room.
"Wait, there's the kid! Rewind it!" – Jay shouted when Lloyd showed up on the footage.
The tape showed Lloyd noticing something in an alley, and then reappearing dressed in a snake costume.
"What the heck was he up to?" – Jay said, puzzled.
The team followed Lloyd's tracks. Moon knew Aura could be used to trace someone—but she hadn't learned how yet. All she could do was see it through walls, floors, and obstacles.
"I feel like these are his footprints... but why do they stop here?" -.
"Something tells me we're going for a ride," – Kai said as he took the lead.
o0o0o
The ninjas were now using the vehicles powered by their golden weapons, heading through the desert following Lloyd's trail.
"What is that place?" – Cole asked over the radio.
"Looks like Snake City," – Jay responded.
"Let's get closer," – and with that, they sped up.
They snuck inside easily.
"Looks like Pythor finally gathered the four tribes," – Zane observed.
"I know we crashed their last get-together, but still... not even a party invite? That stings," – Cole said sarcastically.
"Look-Lloyd's over there!" – Kai pointed out.
Lloyd was in a cage, slumped over. Moon swallowed her rage.
"Oh great, look who they're worshipping now," – Jay pointed at a large statue.
"Let me guess... the Great Devourer," – Kai groaned.
"Even more reason to get Lloyd out. You know what? This ends today!" – he drew his sword.
"No!" – Moon stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. - "There's definitely more toTrap," – Moon sighed, gripping her staff.
She moved to confront Pythor, but a metal net dropped over her, slamming her to the ground. Her golden weapon fell far from reach.
"What were you saying again?" – Kai chuckled nervously.
"Looks like we've caught the main attraction," – Pythor sneered.
o0o0o
The ninjas were forced to walk into the middle of the arena—without their golden weapons.
"What did he mean by 'main attraction'?" – Jay whispered.
"It means we're the headline act... in this creepy snake talent show," – Moon muttered.
"She's got jokes!" – Jay laughed briefly.
"Or maybe we're tonight's dinner special," – Kai muttered.
"You were right, Kai... it might all end today," – Zane said grimly.
"Don't count us out yet. The Samurai might still save us," – Jay offered, trying to stay positive.
"I wouldn't bet on it," – Moon replied, scanning the arena using her Aura.
"Oh? Why not?" -.
"You said you wanted a show, and I've got one for you!" – Pythor announced dramatically. -
"Presenting... Ninjas vs. Samurai!" -.
A gate opened-revealing the Samurai in full armor, shackled-but a few snakes unlocked him.
"What?! We have to fight him?!" – Jay yelled. - "We don't even have our golden weapons, and he's built like a tank! This isn't fair!" -.
"I want to know, once and for all, who's the true hero: the Samurai... or the Ninjas? Only the winner goes free!" – Pythor declared.
"Stick together!" – Kai ordered.
"If he sides with us, maybe we can find a way out. After all, he hates snakes too," – Zane said hopefully.
"I wouldn't count on it—look out!" – Moon warned as a massive shuriken flew toward them.
The ninjas dodged just in time.
"Forget it! He's not on our side!" – Cole growled.
(That's not entirely true...) -.
The ninjas leapt forward in a tumble to dodge the next attack. The Samurai hurled a deadly-looking boomerang.
"Ha! You missed!" – Jay mocked.
"Don't get cocky," – Moon pulled him back just in time as it came flying back.
"Thanks..." – Jay said, wide-eyed.
Moon turned silently and stared at the Samurai.
(Using Aura without my golden weapon will drain me fast... I need another way to get us—and Lloyd and Nya—out of this.) -.
The Samurai slashed with his sword—forcing the ninjas to dodge.
"Tornado of Creation?" – Zane suggested.
"Does Moon join in?" – Jay raised an eyebrow.
"As much as I hate it... with her, it'll be stronger," – Kai muttered.
"You know how—?" – Jay started.
"I've seen you do it," – she nodded.
The ninjas readied themselves to use the Tornado of Creation—this time with a fifth element.
"Earth!" – Cole shouted, spinning into action.
"Fire!" – said Kai.
"Ice!" – Zane joined in.
"Lightning!" – Jay followed.
"Aura!" – Moon finished.
"Ninja Go!" – All five spun into a blazing vortex of elemental energy.
Moon's Spinjitzu was a bright swirl of purple and glowing light-blue.
Weapons and junk flew into the whirlwind, forming a massive slingshot—they launched the Samurai sky-high. As the ninjas prepared to strike, Pythor pulled a lever—spikes shot up, and the arena tilted backward, forcing them to cling to the spikes to keep from falling.
"Can this get worse?!" – Cole groaned.
"Pretend we're actually fighting!" – the Samurai called.
"Oh really? I thought we were fighting!" – Jay snapped.
"Just keep up the act and grab onto my exo-suit!" – The ninjas acted out their moves.
The Samurai tried to fly away, but the weight was too much.
"Too heavy!" – Kai shouted.
The Samurai hit a button-ejecting from the suit and flying away with the ninjas in tow.
"I can't believe he saved us..." – Cole said, shocked.
"He stole our moment again!" – Kai grumbled.
"I hate that guy!" – Jay growled.
"Wait... what about Lloyd?!" – Moon was the only one still focused on him.
o0o0o
"HOW DO YOU LAND THIS THING?!" – Kai screamed as they fell.
The ninjas landed scattered across the desert-but not too far from each other.
Kai and Moon crashed together-Kai's head buried in the sand, Moon on top of him.
"...." – She quickly rolled off and helped him up.
Kai spat out sand and looked at her-still bitter over the past. Both were unmasked.
"I didn't need help," – he said, frowning.
They saw the Samurai's suit crash nearby and ran over.
Kai pulled off the helmet.
"Nya?" – he said in disbelief.
"Stay back, Ninja. Don't come any closer," – she sighed and removed the helmet.
"...Yeah. It's me," – she said, lowering her head.
"I don't get it. You're the Samurai?" – Kai asked.
"The boys always had all the fun. I was never allowed to help. So, I found my own way to be a hero." – she dropped the helmet. - "Are you mad?" -.
"Mad? No way! I've been trying to protect you all this time, but... you never needed it. You're amazing!" – Kai smiled.
"Remember what I said, Nya?" – Moon asked.
"Of course. I haven't forgotten," – she nodded.
"Wait—you knew?!" – Kai pointed at Moon.
"I always knew. I can spot a warrior when I see one." – Moon stepped beside Nya.
"Girl power!" – Nya and Moon fist-bumped while Kai stood in stunned silence.
The siblings smiled nervously.
"You're not gonna tell the others... are you?" – Nya asked, worried.
"We made a bet-whoever uncovered the Samurai's identity would become the—" - he stopped as he saw her face. -
"...But no, I'm not saying anything. Promise. So... how did you build all that?" -.
"You'd be surprised how much free time I have while you guys are off saving the day." – she smirked. -
"Anyway, we better get back before they get suspicious. Lloyd's rescue will have to wait." -.
Moon looked down, worried-not about failing. About Garmadon.
Nya placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and handed Kai the golden weapons.
"Hey Nya... when I get in trouble, the other three-" - Kai glanced at Moon - "four, give me strength. But you... just take care of yourself, okay?" -.
"I promise," – she replied.
"But how are you getting back?" – he asked.
"I'll manage," – Nya said, putting her helmet back on.
She pressed a button and her suit reassembled around her.
Kai handed Moon some of the golden weapons, and they returned to the others.
o0o0o
Moon had already showered, changed into purple pajamas, and was in her room, meditating.
"How goes your mission?" -.
A dark voice made her open her eyes and swallow hard.
"Lord Garmadon..." – she whispered, trembling.