Skylor's lip quivered as she tried to hold back her tears. She didn't know what to feel. She didn't know what to think. The feeling of reality thrust itself at her. " No. Y-you're not real. You aren't here ...you can't be here." she said, voice cracking.
"I'm as real as you are." Her mother let her hand reach out farther, but Skylor stepped back away from her. "Skylor please...I want you to understand." Her mother started.
"No. No, this doesn't make any sense! Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why didn't you come for me! Why are you here?"
"Skylor please calm down I can't keep up-"
"No, no. Y-you left me...all those years ago! I watched them hurt you! I thought they-they had-...you know! And then all this time...you were right there! Right there in front of me! You watched what Tolin put me through... why didn't you stop it! Why didn't you find me all those years ago if you could just roam free like this? Dad blamed himself for what happened to you! He was devastated! He went even more insane!"
Skylor looked back up at her mother, who's eyes were now misty as she lowered her head. Her emotions had gotten the best of her. She ...she didn't mean any of that.
"I ..." She paused and looked away. " I-I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry...I just...I just-"
"No, stop...please. I don't blame you. I should have told you who I was right from the start but... I just couldn't. Tolin had these...hidden devices everywhere I would have been found out much earlier if I did." Shiera explained.
"And ...I did try to find you" she paused, closing her eyes. "...I tried to escape so many times." she whispered.
"Y-you did?"
"Yes, and that's how I got these..." Sheira pulled her hair back and reveled an area of her neck where what looked like years of deep scars laid, along with a small metal panel." she then lifted up her arm which also looked the same.
"Imagine the torture you went through when Tolin first found you...amplified by a thousand and inflicted on you daily. These are what keep me from fully using my powers, draining them in fact. Tolin installed them."
"They look painful..."
Shiera huffed."Oh they are, but not as painful as it was getting them in."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say... anesthesia is used for a reason."
Skylor's stomach churned at the realization of what her mother meant. All those years...so much pain. Skylor couldn't even begin to imagine what her mother went through.
"I tried to escape Tolin, several times in fact, but he always found me, dragged me back to my cell and locked me up. The guy loved to aggravate me. He'd send his guards out to go find you and your father and come back with little photos of you and then taunt me with them, knowing that I wasn't able to see you, knowing that I was weak...that I couldn't do anything about it." Shiera's fists tightened as her explanation continued.
"Mom...I'm sorry. I didn't know-I...I" "It's not your fault Skylor...I- I'm just glad I found you now." Shiera raised her hand and stroked Skylor's face."You're so pretty. You still have Chen's hair."
"He always said I looked more like you, just with red hair."
"Yeah...he did." Shiera paused again as she frowned. "I should have known he'd never forgive himself for what happened. I-I only wish I could have stopped him before he did something stupid like he did. Tolin told me about the anacondrai."
"That wasn't your fault, dad was-"
"I know he was crazy, insane even, but...he was still my husband....and I still care for him. I can't believe I was stupid enough to think I'd actually see him again...I should have known."
"He always talked about you, I know that probably doesn't help."
"It do-" Shiera stopped and glanced back as footsteps interrupted their conversation. Her eyes darkened as she looked back at Skylor, uneasiness returning to her body. "You need to go...before they find me."
Shiera scrambled around her brain for a plan. Now that her original mission was compromised she really had no idea where to go from here. "I'm...not exactly sure. Where did your friends go?" she questioned.
"They went back to the bounty. I was going to head back there as well. You can come with me... I still need you to explain everything to me. Plus, seeing as you seem to know Tolin best, whatever information you have on him can be vital to the ninja."
Shiera shook her head. "I'd love to, but...I don't think that's wise. Tolin knows that I'd probably go to you now that I've been found out. I'd be putting you and your friends in danger."
"I don't care about that! I came all this way to find you and I'm not about the let you go again. Please...come with me. If not... then I'll make you. You may not fully have your powers, but I do." Skylor's lips formed a small smirk, but she was actually quite serious about using her powers if necessary.
Shiera chuckled slightly as she placed her hands on her hips. "Well, aren't you a stubborn one."
Kai folded his arms once more as leaned on the sofa. Misako had arrived back about an hour ago and was now talking to Wu in the other room. He had to keep telling himself that it had only been a hour because it felt like an eternity. Maybe it was just the uncertainty of it all affecting him. Or maybe the fact that Wu wouldn't tell them anything yet. He kept saying they had to be "certain" and "sure" about it first. None of the ninja really understood the sudden secrecy and that made them uneasy.
While sighing, he looked around once more at his team mates. Jay was sitting sitting cross legged with his chin cupped in his hands. Zane looked like he was in some deep train of thought. Lloyd, like always, was trying to be the mature one, just standing by the door looking ready to jump at whatever task Sensei had for them. And Cole was sitting with a plate of food in his lap, but he wasn't eating any, just slowly moving it around with his fork.
Nya was sitting next to him and her face troubled him the most. He couldn't tell what was going through her mind. Her expression was blank and she looked a little pale. Not to mention that for some odd reason she kept glancing over to Pixal.
Thankfully, much to Kai's relief, the eerie silence ceased when a knock came at the door. With a click of a knob the silence was broken and all turned their attention to the door as a familiar red headed girl appeared.
"Skylor! You're back!" Kai yelled as he got up to greet her, but he quickly stopped walking when another person came up from behind her. "Skylor get back!" he yelled as he drew his sword. "One of those army people followed you!" He went to lunge at the person, but Skylor jumped in front of him, causing him to stop again. "Wait stop no its not!" she yelled, fear in her tone.
"What do you mean?" Kai's expression of anger turned to confusion as the person took off their helmet. A woman revealed herself, quite similar in appearance to Skylor. Those same gold eyes and facial features were instantly recognizable
"This isn't an army member" Skylor started. "...This is my mother, Shiera."
There was a brief moment of silence again, as looks of shock covered the ninja's faces."But ...Skylor I thought you said your mother was...you know." Kai said as he took a few steps back. He didn't know what to think about this yet. To be fully honest he was a little creeped out.
"It's a long story. A very, very long story but I'll explain everything. I promise." Skylor said, trying to reassure them that this wasn't some crazy trap of some sort.
Misako and Wu must have heard all the noise because soon they also joined everyone in the mission room.
"What's with all the commotion out here I-" Wu halted, becoming speechless as he tried to gather his thoughts. He blinked his eyes a couple of times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating from all the stress. He then looked at Misako who also shared the same look of bewilderment at the sight that was before them. "How? Where? What?" were the only words that he could form in his mind.
"Misako, Wu...its been a while." Shiera said as a small smile formed across her lips.
"...I-Indeed it has." Misako said as she approached Shiera. They had been friends since childhood long before she married Chen, best friends in fact. " I thought you were...well when Chen told us all those years ago...we all assumed th-"
Shiera shook her head. "I know, I know. I owe everyone an explanation."
"That may be true, but it is going to have to wait..." Wu interrupted. "We have something else to discuss as well." Sensei Wu took out a small object and set it down on the table in the middle of the room. "Perhaps you can assist.."
"Misako found this when she was hiding from the army. It's only a small sample, but it will do. This object appears to be what our new villain is after."
"What...exactly is it?" Jay questioned as he picked it up. It was blue and had a glass like shine to it that was almost blinding to the eye. "Is it a type of crystal?"
"Not... exactly. I think its more than that." Misako added.
Pixal, who was now extremely intrigued by this,made her way over to Jay to get a closer look for herself. "May I scan it? My processor may be able to find something similar."
"I was hoping you'd ask that."
Pixal quickly initiated a scan which lasted about two minutes. Her eyes widened slightly as the familiarity of the item became clear to her. A read blinker appeared in her vision, warning of an increase in her body temperature as she stared down at it more. She had examined something like this before.
"So, what do you see?"
She looked up at the ninja, emerald eyes filled with concern. "The only thing I've analyzed that's similar to this is..." She then looked over to Zane who responded with a blank state of confusion.
"I know it sounds unlikely but that's the only reasonable conclusion I can draw from all this. It is similar to Zane's power source." Pixal continued, her voice pitched different from her own state of shock.
"But..how is that possible?" asked Jay. He was the first to put words to what everyone was thinking.
All eyes locked on Zane, and fixed themselves firmly in the direction of his chest as if they were waiting for him to explain. He only responded by placing his hands into the air. "Don't look at me, even I don't know much about it myself. I may have it inside me, but my father is the one who put it there."
Cole then sighed, frustrated with this. "If only he was around...then maybe we could ask him."
"True but...What would our "Villain" even want with a material similar to Zane's power source?" Jay questioned, again putting physical words to their thoughts.
Skylor clenched her fists, then slowly released them with a heavy sigh. "Our "villian's" name is Tolin...and I'm not sure." She figured if she was going to start telling them the truth of what she knew...she'd better start now.
"Ok..but..wait-H-how do you know his name?" Kai took a few steps back, again not sure to make of this. Skylor's mother coming out of no where, Zane's power source and now this...this day was turning out to be one reveal after another...he couldn't even fathom what could come next.
" I-it's another long story."
Kai now raised an eyebrow. "It's a long story..." seemed to be the only thing Sky would tell him lately. He didn't like all this uncertainty. Skylor knew she could trust him...or...he thought she knew.
"Why would he not want Zane's power source? It's a unique substance unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's very well possible it has other uses we do not know about." Pixal responded returning back to the question at hand.
"Zane...do you any idea if your father had research on your power source. Maybe at your old home?" Misako questioned promptly.
Zane leaned back, almost as if he were slightly uncomfortable talking about his father like this. It wasn't physically visible, but the death of his father affected him a lot more than he first realized. Normally, as days pass one would expect the pain to get better, but in fact..it got worse. He understood perfectly what Lloyd meant when he talked about Garmadon. His titanium form didn't have all the memories from his past...including some during his time with his father. It was precious time he would never be able to grasp again. Time he longed to have.
"Perhaps. I'm actually not quite sure. I remember there being blueprints of myself, but I can not recall knowledge of anything else." he responded, wishing he knew more that could help.
"Wait...Misako. Are you suggesting we go back to Zane's old home and rummage through Dr.J's old things to find info on this power source that may not even be there? Wouldn't he have hidden that away...seeing how..."unique" Zane'spower source is." Jay added, in his usual objecting sarcastic tone.
" I believe its worth a shot. If there is any chance we can find anything that could help us...its vital that we investigate."
"I agree." Sensei Wu added, "we already talked it over and we both think it would be wise for you all to investigate."
"What about the people and the villages...there are still others that may be attacked, we can't all go...can we?" Cole inquired, gesturing to the monitor, that again lit up in bright red lights.
Lloyd then stepped up from the back of the room. "Actually, I think I can solve this problem."
"How? Don't tell me you found out how to clone people..."Jay questioned, slightly horrified.
Lloyd playfully rolled his eyes as he huffed out air. "No, of course not, but...a few certain elemental masters owe me a favor....I think its about time I ask for it."
As the ninja went to make a few calls Skylor went to go...think. Something wasn't settling too well with her. It didn't make any sense. They had a good lead and they had reinforcements that were on the way thanks to the other elemental masters, but ...something still wasn't right. It was an eerie feeling. A feeling that you constantly needed to be alert. The feeling she felt back at Tolin's "hideout". Almost as if he was watching them...like he had been for a while now, but...that was impossible. There was no way that could be possible.
Could it?
Skylor suddenly jumped back as the door creaked open, a familiar figure peaked through. "Oh, hello mom." Skylor called out as she noticed her mother standing their, by the light.
Shiera looked concerned and her gold eyes wandered around observing Skylor carefully. She noticed the tenseness in her shoulders, the worried look in her eyes. "What's wrong?" she questioned.
Her daughter gave off a small laugh, which was obviously forced, then relaxed her shoulders a bit. "Wrong...why would you ask that ?" she responded.
"I may have been away for a while, but I can still tell when my own daughter is worried." Shiera walked over to Skylor and grabbed her had. There was almost an immediate feeling of trust and warmth. What was Skylor doing? What was she thinking? This was her mother...she could tell her how she felt. She didn't have to hide anymore...at least not with her.
The both sat down on the sofa in room and Skylor began to explain.
"Something still feels ...weird here." she began. Shiera raised an eyebrow as she tried to ponder what exactly she meant by ...weird. "In what way?"
"I mean, I feel like we're being watched....somehow manipulated. That there is something we haven't noticed." Skylor added. "It just doesn't feel right."
Shiera tried to smile, but Skylor knew she felt it too...or knew what she meant in a sense. "I know how you feel. Your friends are great ninja, but they don't know Tolin. He wouldn't make this so easy as he has. I'm still wondering why he hasn't done something to your Android friend Zane seeing as he has the power source inside him."
"Do you think he doesn't know about him?" Skylor questioned, hoping maybe they did have some advantage over him.
Sadly, Shiera dismissed this with a shake of her head."That's very unlikely...he has information on almost everything in Ninjago."
"So then....what is he up to?"
"I don't know yet...and that's what worries me. If we are truly being mislead...somehow...in someway. I fear for the very well being of Ninjago. Something is coming my love...and its bigger than all of us. The only thing we can do now is trust each other and fight...that may be all we have."
Skylor nodded and watched as her mother left the room. If they were ever going to stand a chance they needed to have full confidence in each others motives, but...with Tolin on the rise ..and his army everywhere...who's to say he hasn't infiltrated them already...right under their noses.
"M-master Tolin, I-I have to inform you of some news." A guard began as he stood behind Tolin, sweat dripping from his forehead as he watched his master turn to face him. Instantly, he was hit with a feeling of pure terror as his body began to tremble. He hated giving Tolin bad news, or more precisely he feared what Tolin would do to him after he heard that news.
"Yes..." Tolin clasped his hands together and the guard, who was actually still pretty new, gulped as he tried to force his mouth to speak words. "W-we were unsuccessful in capturing master K'lynn sir. We assume that was due to help from the ninja."
Much to the guard's concern, Tolin began to laugh in a low, barely audible tone at this development. "So, she got away..." he began.
The guard blinked in confusion, both at the statement and the fact that he was still alive right now. He must have caught Tolin in one of those rare good moods. Or at least that's what he hoped. "She? But I thought Master-"
Tolin raised a hand to silence him. "That's none of your concern minion. What other news do you bring me?"
"W-we have heard from our connection that the ninja plan to go to the android's home for more information." The guard added, "Would you like us to investigate?"
Tolin responded by tapping his fingers on his thigh in an almost musical matter. "Interesting..."
"Sir, would you like us to proceed?"
Tolin shook his head."No, not right now. We have more pressing matters to deal with. Tell your head captain to prepare some men. We're going into Ninjago City."
It was very obvious to Tolin that his men were...interested in knowing why they all of a sudden were going to Ninjago city and he planned to keep them curious...for the moment. The truth was, Tolin wanted a new right hand. Someone who could be trusted more than a human man or woman...someone who he could...program.
He was familiar with Cyrus Borg and his inventions, and knew his knowledge would be far superior than any scientist he had in his army, but recruiting Cyrus himself would be too much work. Nevertheless, a man of his talent would be known to have...prototypes or not quite perfect models laying around which would serve their purpose quite nicely.
Tolin was searching for something in particular. This normally wouldn't be an action he took, but considering the circumstances and the connection this invention had with a member of the ninja's team...it was highly important that he had it.
"Sir, we have reached the tower." One of Tolin's Minions called as Borg Industries became visible in sight. The newly remodeled building shined bright blue, lined with flashing lights, perfectly welcoming ...you could say. And thanks to some new technology worked up by his team, they were cloaked and undetectable to any security forces.
It was perfect.
"Decloak the ship and dock on the hundredth floor. Remember the plan and do not hesitate! We're going in..."
Cyrus had been working for the time being; just on some paper work here and there. Of lately, things had been pretty calm in his tower so it hit him with much surprise when a loud blast came from his window.
"Search the room for weapons and secure it!" A man in a burgundy mask and armor yelled. Cyrus quickly rolled back to his desk as he watched this army storm through his office and rummage through his things.
"Who are you and what do you think you are doing! This is private property! You'll all be arrested!" he yelled, trying to sound confident, but he was really quite alarmed by this.
Tolin tilted his head around, seeming completely not bothered by these threats. "Oh, right I didn't introduce myself. My name is Tolin and this is my army....and you my nice inventor friend...are going to help us." His tone was playfully friendly...in an evil, insincere, kind of way.
"Not a chance. I don't know who you are, but I most certainly will not be helping anything you're doing...not with an army like that." Cyrus responded. He knew these people were trouble and he wanted nothing to do with it.
Tolin placed his hands on the desk in front of Cyrus and leaned down so he could look him in the eye. "Lucky for you then, since I don't quite need your help...besides the location of your prototype models. Talk."
Cyrus's lips remained sealed. He didn't speak a word. His prototypes were not only valuable, but potentially dangerous if given into the wrongs hands...like this man.
"If you do not talk I'll be forced to use...less friendly techniques. I'd hate to do that to you." Tolin's tone was sarcastic, almost as if he'd probably do it anyway with or without his cooperation.
"Well, I guess you will be using those "less friendly techniques" then." Cyrus responded, still not budging.
"Fine then, have it your way. I was feeling pretty good and was willing to not let you suffer, but it seems you want to do this the hard way. Doctor, hook him up." Tolin pointed to one of his men, this one dressed with a special medical symbol crest on the side of his arm. He grinned at Cyrus as he placed two blinking red metal pieces by his temples on each side of his head.
"What are those...?"
"These are what I like to call...extracters. It's new and ...well not certified really. They were meant to be quick and painless, but they aren't quite finished..so..the pain still remains. Oh,and it isn't pleasant...at all."
Cyrus swallowed, "What..do they do?"
"They allow my Doctor to search through your mind for answers," he paused, " You know I'm still willing to let you go with out pain if you just tell the location." Tolin responded again.
Cyrus just shook his head.
"Very well, you had your chance. Doctor, if you please..."
