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Chapter 67 - Season 9: The Gilded Path

Getting some interesting info here.....maybe.

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*Nova and the ninja were sitting by a bonfire while Wu is asleep.*

Nova was watching the flames of the bonfire as her thoughts was focusing back to when she freed the Wind Dragon. "What was that warm feeling I felt when I removed those chains?.....It felt so welcoming and safe...unlike this cold and lonely feeling I felt for so long...I wanna have that feeling again."

She began humming in a soft voice to the dragons rising song.

"Hey Nova, since when did your eye turn back to blue?" Jay asked as he only just noticed it since she had turned off her mask.

Nova stopped humming and looked over at Jay confused. "Huh? You mean it isn't purple?"

"Jay is right. It is blue, maybe you're getting control on changing back to your human form." said Cole.

"That might actually be a good thing. You did say you wanted to be back in human form." said Kai.

"Maybe staying in this realm. Is balancing your powers." said Zane.

"Hmmm, I haven't even thought about that." said Nova and began thinking about what was making this change since her eye was blue again.

Not long after Wu wakes up, having aged overnight.

"Huh?"

"Look who's up." said Kai.

"And look who's got longer legs. Even as I'm saying that out loud, that's super weird, right?" said Cole.

"Damn Wu is growing up fast." said Nova.

"With his augmented growth cycle, that's actually quite normal for a young teenager." said Zane.

"A teenager? Oh, now we're in for it." said Jay.

"Jay, are you forgetting Nova is still a teenager." said Kai.

"Oh yeah, I forgot she was because of her size." said Jay.

Nova let out a low growl while glaring at him. "Wanna repeat that, Jay?"

Jay let out a nervous laugh. "Nope, I didn't say anything."

"What is wrong, young Master Wu?" Zane asked.

"I...I had a dream. I was fishing with my father." said Wu.

"The First Spinjitzu Master?" Jay asked, turning his attention away from Nova.

"And my brother was there." said Wu.

"His memories are coming back." said Cole.

"Do you remember anything else? Anything your father said?" Kai asked.

At that moment Nova remembered what came next so she quickly turned her mask back on.

"Yeah. He said—" Someone attacks them.

"Show yourself!" shouted Cole.

"There is no escape. You are my prisoners now. Is it true?" said Heavy Metal.

"Is what true?" Cole asked.

"What you said. He is the son of the First Spinjitzu Master. Is it true?" Heavy Metal asked.

Kai whispered. "Don't tell him. You remember what happened when they found out about our powers."

"I can hear you." said Heavy Metal.

"Yes. It's true. I am the son of the First Spinjitzu Master. I am Wu." Heavy Metal removes their armor and reveals she is a woman.

"Then the legend is true. You have come back to take the Dragon Armor." said Heavy Metal removing her mask and hat.

"Whoa. Not what I was expecting." said Jay.

"You're Heavy Metal?" asked Kai.

"That is my given Hunter name. My real name is Faith." She told them.

"Faith. All you need is faith." said Wu.

"Please. Tell me. Do you know where the Dragon Armor is?" Faith asked.

"That way." said Wu as he pointed in a direction.

"Then we must go." said Faith.

"Go? Go where?" asked Zane.

"To the armor." said Wu and Nova in unison.

"Iron Baron has his hunters looking for you. And they never fail. The farther we get, the longer we'll live." Faith runs.

"She is right and the last thing I want is for them to find out what I am." said Nova.

"Yeah, Zane. We're going for the armor. Away from the man with the funny hat. That's a good thing." said Jay.

"Sure. 'Cause when has our Master ever led us astray? Why are you leading us astray? You don't even know where the armor is." said Kai.

"No. But I have faith." said Wu.

"Oh. Faith. He has faith." said Kai as Faith brings back a vehicle.

"Uh, how are we all gonna fit on that thing?" Cole asked.

"We aren't. But it will hold our supplies. What it can't carry, we bury. Iron Baron cannot know I am helping you." Faith points a weapon at Jay.

"Yeah, yeah. O-of course. Hehe. Your secret's safe with us. Now lower that giant rifle thing. So..." Jay laughs "we have faith."

"I hope you know what you're doing." said Kai.

"I believe in Wu, and so I also have faith." said Nova.

"Ugh, not you too Nova." said Kai as he facepalmed.

*A while later The ninja and Nova pull on the vehicle.*

"Oh, my feet. They feel like they're gonna fall off." said Cole.

"I did not sign up for this." said Nova, wishing she could just summon her clones to help.

"Does this remind you guys of anything?" Jay asked.

"Ugh. Like our time tortured in Dead's End?" Kai guessed.

"No. When this all began. Just the four of us. Hauling Master Wu to who knows where. Ha-ha." said Jay.

"Whoa, yeah. When we got our Golden Weapons." said Cole.

"Only now we're heading to the Dragon Armor, which is who knows where 'cause this little liar has us on a wild goose chase!" said Kai.

"We must have faith, Kai. To turn back now would be death." said Zane.

"Yeah, no need to remind us." said Cole.

"I really don't wanna go back, I'm pretty sure I would be the first to die." said Nova.

"Couldn't you just hide in the shadows?" Jay asked.

"....Oh yeah, I forgot about that." said Nova.

"How can you forget about that, you've been doing it so many times." said Kai.

"Oh I'm sorry, maybe it's because I had other things to think about." said Nova with a low growl.

"And what other things would that be?" Cole asked.

"Getting home." said Nova.

"But can't you see the future?" Zane asked.

"There is a limit on what I can see of the future, and even if I did see something I wouldn't tell you." said Nova.

"Why not?" Jay asked.

"That would be messing with the timeline, and I am not about to go into unknown territory." said Nova.

"But we are already in unknown territory!" shouted Kai.

"Why do you wear the mask?" Wu asked while ignoring the others.

"That was Iron Baron's idea. He didn't want the others to know his greatest hunter was a woman. He forbade me to ever take it off." Faith explained.

"So the others don't know?" Wu asked.

"Iron Baron has a way to control us all. It's either his way, or you are cast out. But when you find the armor, you can control Firstbourne. Then we can all leave this forsaken place." said Faith.

"That's right. I almost forgot. Dragons are the only creatures who can ferry between realms." said Jay.

"If we can find the Dragon Armor, we can get home." said Zane.

"What is this place you call home?" Faith asked.

"It's called Ninjago." said Kai.

"Ninja-go?" said Faith, confused.

"A place where nobody forces you to wear a mask." said Cole as he looked over at Nova.

"It's a beautiful place. At least it used to be. Before my brother soured it. Which is why we need to return. Can you tell me about my father? Some things I remember. Some things I forget." said Wu.

"Every child in the First Realm knows the tale of the First Spinjitzu Master. Because your father was both Oni and dragon, he found a bond with the dragon mother, and she with him. With her Fire, and his metal, they forged the Dragon Armor. Stories say he rode the magnificent beast, but not with chains. He would soar through the skies only with the respect they had for one another. Together they sought to put an end to the devastating war, and unite the realm." Faith explained.

"Wow."

"Amazing."

"That is so cool."

"But there were those who would never allow it." said Faith.

"Why?" Wu asked.

"The Oni and dragon have always been mortal enemies. And there are some divides that cannot be bridged. Seeing there would never be peace, your father was devastated. He took off his armor and left the First Realm forever in hopes of finding the peace he was looking for." Faith explained.

"That is something we are all still searching for." said Zane.

"And the Firstbourne?" Wu asked.

"She remained behind faithfully guarding his armor, waiting for the day of his return." said Faith.

"But he never came." said Cole.

"Which is why you think Master Wu can find it." said Kai.

"Think? I know. Or we will die." said Faith.

"Yeah, but do you have to keep saying that?" They hear the Dragon Hunters approaching.

"Hunters."

"We need to hide." said Zane.

"Hide where? We're in a desert!" said Jay.

"Arrgh! I'd run away if my feet weren't so tired." said Cole.

"Well I'm not going back without a fight." said Kai as they get their weapons.

"Seriously guys, we don't have the energy to fight." said Nova, crossing her arms.

"Put those weapons down and do exactly as I say." Faith grabs some chains. "Quick! Put these on! Do it! If you want to live!" She puts her armor on.

Nova decided to hide in the shadows instead, less of a chance of being noticed and she would be able to rest for a bit.

"Live. Ha-ha. Now there's a word you'd like to hear more." said Jay.

"Aye! You caught them, Heavy Metal!" said Daddy No Legs.

Muzzle mumbles.

"Yes, I know he knows that, Muzzle. I was just paying him a compliment." said Daddy No Legs.

"What do you want?" Faith asked.

"You can't possibly take them all back by yourself—" Daddy No Legs tried to explain but was cut off.

"So you can leave." said Faith.

"Well I can see we are not wanted. We'll just be on our way. I will tell the Baron of the good news." said Daddy No Legs.

Muzzle looks at Wu and mumbles.

"Why, yes, he does look taller. But last time he was in a disguise." said Daddy No Legs.

Muzzle looks around but can't see Nova anywhere and mumbles.

"You are right, where is that troublesome runt?" said Daddy No Legs.

"Runt!?" Nova thought angrily in the shadows while trying not to jump out and attack.

Muzzle mumbles.

"Hold it right there! Until we can get all this figured out." said Daddy No Legs but Kai trips them. "Or not."

"Tie them up." said Faith.

"You're a traitor! Iron Baron will have your head for this!" shouted Daddy No Legs while the ninja steal their vehicles. "Go on and run. You won't get far."

"Good luck with that No Legs!" shouted Nova who had already come out of the shadows and were now in one of the vehicles.

"With your speeders, we'll have a running start." said Kai as they took off.

"You're no better than those shapeshifting Oni! You hear me, Heavy Metal!? You'll pay for this!" shouted Daddy No Legs.

Nova felt a little offended for once with what he was saying, but shook it off. "I think staying in this realm is doing more harm than good for me at this point."

"Which way?" Faith asked.

"That way." said Wu pointing at the direction they were going.

"Into the unknown." said Kai.

"Into the unknown." Nova simply sang the song from frozen, as she couldn't resist it when Kai said it.

"And then, ninja-ho!" said Faith.

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