Legacy of Darkness: The Ninjago Rebirth

The Destiny's Bounty soared through the storm, its sails straining against the howling winds. Thunder rumbled overhead, flashing streaks of lightning illuminating the darkened sky. In his private cabin, Master Wu sat cross-legged on the floor, the scent of burning incense thick in the air. Wisps of spirit smoke curled around him as he gazed into the swirling visions that took shape before his eyes.

He saw the ninja, their backs pressed together, surrounded by the Serpentine. Their weapons flashed, but the enemy closed in. Then, the vision shifted. Wu's breath caught in his throat as he saw a monstrous, gaping maw—jagged teeth glistening with venom—closing around him. The Great Devourer.

Wu gasped, the vision dissipating like mist. His heart pounded in his chest. Tomorrow was uncertain.

In the Bounty's dining room, Kai, Nya, and Jay sat around the table, keeping watch over the four silver Fangblades, each one gleaming ominously under the dim lantern light.

Nya tapped her fingers against the table. "Why is it that Torchfire Mountain is the only place we can destroy these things?"

Kai leaned back, arms crossed. "Because the Fangblades are made from the original teeth of the Great Devourer. They're nearly indestructible. Only extraordinary heat can break them down."

Jay, who was idly fiddling with a fork, perked up. "Uh, could someone pass the salt?"

Before anyone could move, the Bounty tilted sharply. The salt shaker slid across the table and landed neatly in Jay's waiting hand. He grinned. "Hey, thanks."

The door creaked open, and Cole staggered in, his face a sickly shade of green. He groaned, gripping the doorframe for support. "Please… no one talk about food."

Jay smirked, never one to pass up an opportunity. "Not feeling great, huh? Hey, Cole, you're looking a little green over there. How'd you like a nice, fresh… mucus salt sandwich?"

Cole gagged and immediately turned around, stumbling back outside. A second later, the unmistakable sound of retching echoed from the deck.

Jay burst into laughter. "Oh man, I love air travel."

Shaking her head, Nya nudged him. "Speaking of green… who would've guessed that little Lloyd Garmadon turned out to be the Green Ninja?"

Kai exhaled, rubbing his temple. "I know. He was such a brat at first. Hard to believe he's supposed to become the greatest ninja that ever lived."

Nya tilted her head. "Where is that little runt, anyway?"

Down in the training room…

Lloyd stood in front of a line of practice dummies, his stance wide, hands curled into fists. He narrowed his eyes and drew in a breath, his voice dipping into an exaggerated western drawl.

"Serpentine… it's time I Spinjitzu you back into the filthy holes you came from." He threw a punch at the air. "Ninja kick! Tiger claw! Ninja—GO!"

He spun, attempting to summon Spinjitzu—but instead, he lost his balance and collapsed in an ungraceful heap.

A low chuckle echoed from the shadows.

Lloyd's head snapped up, eyes darting around the room. Then, as if stepping out of thin air, Pythor materialized, his pale violet scales glistening under the dim lighting.

"What a joke," the Serpentine general sneered. "You were always just a boy chasing stupid dreams."

Lloyd's stomach twisted. "Pythor! How did you get aboard?"

Pythor's grin widened. "You really think I would allow the ninja to steal the Fangblades from me?"

Before Lloyd could react, Pythor lunged.

He barely had time to struggle before the Serpentine leader's long, coiling tail wrapped around his body, pinning his arms to his sides.

"You'll never get away with this!" Lloyd growled, thrashing against the hold.

Pythor tsked. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that." He reached into his belt and pulled out a strip of thick tape. "As they say… out of sight, out of mind."

Lloyd barely got out a "Hey—" before Pythor pressed the tape firmly over his mouth and bound him tightly to a nearby punching bag.

The Serpentine general vanished with a sinister laugh, leaving Lloyd helpless in the dimly lit training room.

Meanwhile, at Torchfire Mountain…

A large tour bus rumbled to a stop near the base of the towering volcano. The side doors hissed open, and a group of tourists stepped out, cameras in hand. A cheerful guide stood at the front, speaking through a microphone.

"Thanks for choosing the Ninjago Tour Company for your scenic adventure! And if you look to your left, you'll see Torchfire Mountain! The core of this active volcano can reach temperatures of up to… oh, I dunno, three bajillion degrees!"

The tourists oohed and snapped photos.

Among them, a small boy tugged at his mother's sleeve. "Mommy, look! A flying ship!"

His mother glanced up, distracted. "Oh, honey, ships don't fly. Only planes do."

"But, Mommy, it's a ship."

She patted his head absentmindedly. "That's nice, dear."

High above, the Destiny's Bounty approached, descending toward the mountain's peak.

Onboard, Nya smirked. "Will everyone please place their seatbacks and tray tables in the full upright and locked position?" she announced over the ship's comms. "We have officially reached our destination—Torchfire Mountain."

As the ship stabilized, the ninja stepped onto the deck, each one carrying a Fangblade.

Jay wiped his brow. "Ugh, it's roasting out here."

Jinx, who was floating a few feet above the ground, used his wind to cool himself. Shadows from his darkness hovered above him, blocking the sun's harsh rays. He glanced at Jay and smirked.

"Stop being a pussy, Jay."

As soon as the words left Jinx's mouth, Jay suddenly felt a rush of cool air envelop him.

He blinked, then gave Jinx a small, appreciative nod. "Okay… not complaining."

Kai grinned. "Heh. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Jay rolled his eyes. "Oh, real original."

Then, he noticed something off. He nudged Zane. "Hey, what's with Sensei?"

Zane's expression darkened. "I do not know. He has been distant all morning."

Wu stood at the edge of the deck, gazing at the fiery landscape below.

"Ah," he murmured. "It is beautiful, is it not?"

Zane stepped forward. "Sensei, we are ready for the destruction of the Fangblades, yet you seem… disinterested."

Wu didn't turn. "You do not need my approval to finish the task."

Jay frowned. "Uh, but Sensei—"

"Butts," Wu interrupted, "are for sitting." He exhaled. "And besides, there will come a time when you will have to go on without me."

Kai scoffed. "Sensei, you're talking crazy. You've been alive for, like, forever."

Cole elbowed him.

"Ugh, fine," Kai muttered. "What I meant to say is, we need you."

Zane nodded. "You are like the sunrise. We cannot begin a day without you."

Wu finally turned, a small smile on his face. "Ah… but even the sun must go down so that a new day can begin."

Cole frowned. "I don't like metaphors. Are you leaving us again?"

Wu's expression darkened. "In meditation, my smoke visions have come to an end. Tomorrow, I cannot see."

Jinx remained quiet, a strange feeling gnawing at him. It felt like Wu was saying goodbye. Yet, deep down, he also had a sense that everything would be all right in the end.

Jay forced a grin, trying to shake off the ominous mood. "But hey, maybe it's a good omen, you know? We destroy the Fangblades, and then everything's gravy."

Wu's expression didn't change. His eyes remained distant, clouded with thoughts beyond their understanding. "Let's just get rid of them, for good," he murmured.

Before anyone could respond, a sudden lurch shook the Destiny's Bounty, sending cups, tools, and loose objects tumbling across the deck. A metallic groan echoed through the ship, and the lights flickered erratically.

"Sensei!" Cole shouted as Wu lost his footing, sliding toward the edge of the ship.

Wu grabbed onto a wooden beam at the last second, his grip slipping as the ship continued to spiral. "Something… is wrong," he managed.

Cole lunged forward, barely catching his sensei's wrist in time. He gritted his teeth, pulling with all his strength as the others rushed to help. "You're not going anywhere, old friend," Cole grunted, heaving Wu back to safety.

The ship jolted again.

Kai turned toward the cockpit, yelling over the chaos, "Nya! What's happening?"

Nya was gripping the controls, frantically trying to stabilize the ship. "Ah! Someone or something has overridden the system!" she shouted.

Meanwhile, deep within the training room, Lloyd was struggling against the ropes binding him to a punching bag. Gritting his teeth, he managed to wriggle free, ripping the tape from his mouth. He staggered to the intercom, slamming the button.

"Pythor's on board!"

His voice echoed across the ship, reaching the ears of every ninja just as a sinister chuckle rang out behind them. They turned to find Pythor standing smugly, holding the Fangblades in his scaly hands.

"Ah, apologies if I don't lend a hand," Pythor sneered. "But I'm really in a rush—got this whole 'Great Devourer' thing going on." He chuckled darkly. "Toodaloo."

As he turned, however, he found his path blocked.

Lloyd stood firm, gripping a Bo staff. "Where do you think you're going?"

Pythor sighed dramatically. "Ah. A little cliché, don't you think?"

Lloyd blinked. "Uh, cliché?"

"I wouldn't expect a child to understand," Pythor said smoothly.

Lloyd scowled. "Hey, I've grown up a lot!" With a determined yell, he charged forward, swinging his staff.

Pythor dodged with ease, lazily weaving around each of Lloyd's attacks. "Hm. Puny strength, no fundamentals, sloppy footwork… You really think you can defeat me?"

A sharp, piercing whistle cut through the air, and Pythor's confident smirk faltered.

His scales prickled as a chilling aura enveloped the room. Slowly, he turned his head, dread pooling in his gut.

Jinx stood there, his dark purple eyes glowing ominously, two shadowy sickles curling in his hands like tendrils of darkness given form.

He didn't blink. He didn't speak.

He just tilted his head ever so slightly.

Pythor instinctively slithered back. His breath hitched, his mind screaming at him to run.

And in that moment of distraction—

THWACK!

Lloyd's staff struck Pythor square in the chest.

"Yes!" Lloyd shouted, eyes wide with excitement. "I hit him! I hit him, guys!"

Pythor hissed in pain, his golden eyes snapping to the boy. "Oh, as much as I'd love to entertain your overgrown toys, I have a ride to catch."

Before anyone could stop him, he leaped off the Bounty, plummeting toward the waiting Rattlecopter below.

"No!" Lloyd reached out, but it was too late.

Pythor landed gracefully, gripping the Fangblades tightly as he laughed. "So long, suckers!"

The ninja scrambled to the edge of the ship.

"Don't let go!" Jay yelled.

"You think I don't know that?!" Kai snapped.

The Bounty lurched violently once more, sending them all tumbling forward—until a powerful gust of wind caught them midair, suspending them above the deck.

Jinx.

His darkness-infused wind coiled around them like a protective cocoon, gently setting them back onto the ship. He didn't say a word.

Instead, he leaped off the edge, the air twisting around him, his body merging into the shadows.

A howl erupted as a dragon of darkness and wind materialized beneath him. Its monstrous, shifting form coiled around him like a storm given life.

With a single command, Jinx shot forward, giving chase.

Pythor, for the first time that day, felt a pang of real fear.

Nya: Feel the same. Come on, he's getting away.

Jay: Look, there!

Pythor gritted his teeth, clutching the Fangblades as the Rattlecopter cut through the darkening sky. The City of Ouroboros was still miles away—too far. Too risky. His golden eyes darted behind him, scanning the horizon.

The Bounty was no longer visible, but that didn't mean they were safe. He knew who was out there.

Jinx.

And his damn dragon.

"This won't work," Pythor hissed, his tail curling anxiously. "The city is too far. That cursed ninja and his monstrosity will catch up to us before we get anywhere near Ouroboros!"

Skales, who had been calmly monitoring their flight path, turned to him with a knowing smirk. "Don't worry, sir. We've already made preparations."

Pythor narrowed his eyes. "What preparations?"

The Rattlecopter began descending, blades whirling as it hovered over a stretch of road. Below them sat a large tour bus, its oblivious passengers enjoying their scenic ride.

The Serpentine struck fast.

The moment they landed, Skales and his warriors stormed the bus, hissing and snapping, sending humans screaming into the night. A few tried to resist, but they were swiftly overpowered.

"Mommy, snakes are kicking people off the bus," a small boy whispered, tugging on his mother's sleeve.

"Don't be silly, sweetheart," the woman said, smiling. "Snakes don't—"

A sharp hiss cut her off as a Venomari soldier slithered past, shoving passengers aside.

The boy blinked up at his mother. "See? Snakes."

Mezmo snatched a chicken dish off a table, taking a bite as he grinned. "Mmm. Yummy."

Pythor's cold laughter slithered through the air as he boarded. "Next stop: Ouroboros!"

Meanwhile, aboard the Destiny's Bounty…

The ninja were already preparing for the chase.

Wu stood at the center, his expression grave. "If Pythor returns the Fangblades to the City of Ouroboros, he will awaken the Great Devourer."

"Then we can't let that happen," Nya said firmly, tightening her grip on the controls.

Jay smirked. "Yeah, and with Jinx on their tail, that gives us a little more time to catch up."

Lloyd stepped forward, eyes bright with determination. "What about me?"

Kai turned to him. "We need someone to stay with the Bounty."

Lloyd scoffed. "Did you see me kick Pythor in the face? I'm an asset. I kick butt. And faces."

Kai chuckled, ruffling Lloyd's hair. "Patience, kid. You're too important now that you're the chosen one."

Wu raised an eyebrow, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Patience, hmm? Ah, the student has become the teacher."

Lloyd crossed his arms but didn't argue.

Jay cracked his knuckles. "Well, what do you say we play a little catch-up?"

Cole grinned. "My favorite game."

The ninja leaped into action.

"Ninja—GO!"

Vehicles roared to life, launching off the Bounty and onto the road.

On the hijacked tour bus…

Pythor lounged in the tour guide's seat, idly drumming his fingers against the microphone.

A nervous tour guide cleared his throat. "Uh… is this some kind of special tour?"

Pythor rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up and drive."

Skales slithered to his side, a hint of concern in his voice. "Sir, the ninja are on our tail. They'll catch up in no time."

Pythor's eyes darkened.

He plucked the microphone from its stand and leaned into it with a charming yet venomous tone.

"Good afternoon, my cold-blooded minions," he drawled. "If you look to your left—and behind you—you'll see something very annoying. Ninja."

His voice turned sharp. "So, man your stations, chaps! We've got guests. Let's give them a ride they won't forget."

The Fangpyre let out a collective hiss of excitement, slithering onto the roof.

Within moments, the tour bus began to shift. The metal groaned, twisting and reshaping itself as Serpentine magic pulsed through its frame. Armor plating snapped into place, jagged spikes jutted out, and cannons emerged from its sides.

The vehicle had become a serpentine war machine.

Kai's jaw dropped. "What the—?! Is that a truck?"

Wu's eyes narrowed. "That is no truck. It is a moving fortress."

Cole scowled. "Of course it is."

Suddenly, more Serpentine vehicles swerved onto the road, cutting the ninja off.

Kai revved his engine. "Fine. You wanna play? Bring it on!"

Above them…

A shadow fell across the battlefield.

A howl split the air.

Pythor barely had time to look up before a dark fireball came hurtling toward them.

BOOM!

The explosion tore through the Serpentine convoy, sending three vehicles flipping into the air. One of the train cars ripped apart, nearly toppling the bus itself.

Pythor's blood ran cold.

Through the smoke and fire, Jinx's dragon loomed above them—its massive form pulsing with shadow and wind, its dark purple eyes locked onto its prey.

Jinx stood at its center, unmoving, unreadable, his presence like a specter of inevitable destruction.

Pythor's grip on the Fangblades tightened.

"…Damn it all."

The battlefield was pure chaos. The Serpentine Express barreled down the road, its armor plating glinting under the setting sun. Jinx's dragon soared above, casting an ominous shadow, fire still flickering from its last devastating attack.

Jay watched as Jinx unleashed another dark fireball, obliterating yet another Serpentine vehicle in a fiery explosion. He let out a low whistle.

"…Okay, I'll admit it. Jinx is putting in work." Jay crossed his arms, shifting uncomfortably. "I feel a little… intimidated."

Zane nodded, his icy blue gaze fixed on the battlefield. "You are not the only one. At this rate, I believe only Lloyd—once he has been fully trained—will be able to match Jinx."

Nya's eyes narrowed as she studied the battlefield, a plan forming in her mind. "I've got an idea. Jay, follow me. Zane, try to get in close and cool him off."

Zane nodded. "Understood. I'm going in. Ninja—go!"

With unwavering precision, he leaped onto the train's tail section. The wind whipped against him as he moved swiftly across the metal, his eyes scanning for the weak point.

There.

Zane's hands blurred into motion as he detached the tail of the train with a sharp metallic snap. The back cars screeched, their connection severed, and within moments, the entire section began to slow before derailing off the road.

He watched the wreckage disappear behind them before leaping forward. "Goodbye."

Jay pumped his fist. "All right! Nice one, Zane!" He turned to Nya. "Now let's board that truck."

Inside the train's armored cockpit…

Skales' tongue flicked with unease as he watched the destruction unfold. "We're running out of time," he warned, slithering closer to Pythor. "If the ninja stop us before we reach the City of Ouroboros, we may never awaken the Great Devourer."

Pythor's golden eyes narrowed in irritation. "Don't lecture me, Skales. Faster!"

The tour guide, still gripping the steering wheel with white-knuckled fear, let out a stammering reply. "I-I can't! If we go any faster, the engine could explode!"

Pythor exhaled sharply through his fangs. "Fine. Then I'll do it." His tail lashed out, shoving the guide aside.

The man barely had time to yelp before Pythor hissed, "Get out."

The guide's eyes widened. "Now?!"

"Now."

With a terrified scream, the man flung himself out of the moving train, rolling onto the pavement. "I hate snakes!"

Pythor sneered. "Coward."

He gripped the controls, slamming the accelerator forward. The Serpentine Express roared, its engine overloading with speed. The entire train lurched, gears grinding under the strain.

"Don't let the ninja reach the front!" Pythor snapped.

Skales cracked his knuckles, his fangs gleaming. "I'll personally see to it."

On top of the train…

Kai braced himself against the wind as the train rumbled beneath him. "Let's split up," he called over the noise. He flashed a grin. "Last one to the front is a rotten ninja."

Jay smirked. "All right!" With a surge of Spinjitzu, he spun forward, colliding with a group of Serpentine guards. "Haha! Where'd everyone go?"

Meanwhile, Zane moved in on another flank. He exhaled a breath of frost. "Time to cool down." He raised his hand, sending a blast of ice toward the advancing Serpentine, freezing their weapons mid-swing.

Kai ducked under an enemy's strike, gritting his teeth. "What?! Try fighting up here—it's not exactly easy!"

A shadow flickered above.

Nya landed hard, kicking a Fangpyre soldier off the train before flipping to her feet. "Mind if I interrupt?"

Inside another train car…

Wu, standing calmly amidst the chaos, turned to a bewildered Chokun and held out his teacup.

"Hold this, please."

Chokun blinked, momentarily distracted. "Oh, uh—yeah, sure."

Wu poured him tea.

"…Thanks?"

Without missing a beat, Wu punched Chokun straight off the train, then caught his teacup before it spilled.

He sipped.

"Thank you."

On top of the train…

Kai's eyes widened. "WATCH OUT!"

Wu barely tilted his head, his expression calm. "Duck. Duck. Duck."

Nya, struggling with her balance, grumbled, "I'm trying! I can't—"

WHAM!

They slammed into a billboard, shattering the wooden sign on impact.

Kai groaned, shaking off the daze. "Ninja—GO!" He flipped back onto the roof, regaining his footing.

Wu sighed. "I told you to duck."

Nya shot him a glare, rubbing her shoulder. "I don't want to hear it."

At the front of the train…

Skales hissed, blocking the ninja's path. "End of the line, loser." His fangs bared as he lunged for Kai—

BOOM!

A massive vehicle roared onto the scene.

Cole's Tread Assault skidded across the road, launching onto the tracks.

Skales' eyes widened. "No. No, no, no—please!"

Cole grinned. "Sorry, buddy. I love this thing."

He fired a missile straight at Skales.

The explosion sent Skales flying, his scream fading as he vanished into the night. The remaining Serpentine, seeing their general defeated, turned tail and fled.

Cole pulled up, grinning as he opened the roof hatch.

"Need a lift?"

Nya smirked. "Don't mind if we do."

One by one, the ninja leaped into the Tread Assault, ready for the next stage of the chase.

The battle wasn't over.

Not yet.

Jinx, perched atop his dragon, gazed down at the Serpentine Express racing across the landscape below. His eyes narrowed as he raised a hand, channeling his power into a swirling mass of darkness. The dragon rumbled in response, its ebon scales glistening as it conjured a pulsating orb of shadow between its jaws.

With a mighty roar, the beast launched the sphere downward.

The dark projectile struck the train's hull, and in an instant, the corruption spread like an infection. Shadowy tendrils slithered across the metal, warping its structure, turning steel into an eerie, twisted substance. The train cars groaned as they shifted unnaturally, the corruption creeping toward the interior like a living entity.

Inside, the ninja barely had time to react before the walls darkened and the air grew heavy with malevolent energy. The very train beneath their feet began to feel wrong, as if something eldritch was consuming it from the inside out.

Jay's eyes widened as he stumbled back from a wall that had begun to pulse and breathe. "Does Jinx not know we're in here or something?!"

Nya, sprinting beside him, shouted over the chaos. "He left without his comms! He didn't hear us!"

A crackle of shadow energy surged through the ceiling, sending arcs of dark lightning along the metal beams. The train itself was no longer just a vehicle—it was turning into something else. Something alive.

"We need to move!" Nya urged, gripping Jay's arm and pulling him forward.

The ninja raced through the corrupted train cars, their feet pounding against the trembling floor. The walls shifted, distorting like liquid shadows, forcing them to weave around grotesque, forming spires of blackened metal.

They pushed through one train car.

Then another.

The corruption was gaining on them.

Finally, they reached a relatively untouched section near the back—just enough time for Cole to take action. He slammed his fists against the coupling latch, gritting his teeth as he forced it loose.

With a final wrenching motion, the corrupted train cars detached from the main body.

The infected section shuddered violently, its shadow-covered form twisting as if in protest before veering off the tracks.

A moment later, it collapsed into itself, the corruption devouring what remained before vanishing in a violent implosion.

Breathing heavily, Jay doubled over. "Well, that was horrifying."

Nya wiped sweat from her brow. "Yeah. Let's hope Jinx doesn't do that again—while we're inside."

Cole cracked his knuckles. "Next time, remind me to unhook the train before it turns into a nightmare."

The train roared forward, free of the corruption—but the battle was far from over.

Kai tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes locked onto the final train car ahead. "Alright, so be it. But one more car to go." He exhaled sharply. "Pythor's in there—with the four Fangblades. Who's first?"

Before anyone could answer, Wu stepped forward and, without hesitation, unhooked the coupling latch.

"Sensei!" Jay shouted in alarm.

Cole took a step forward, reaching out instinctively. "What are you doing?!"

Wu remained calm, his expression serene as he stood his ground. The now-detached train car began to slowly fall behind, creating distance between him and the rest of the ninja.

"My destiny is to face Pythor alone," Wu declared. "Your destiny is to look after Lloyd."

Kai clenched his fists, frustration flashing across his face. "This is turning into a habit with him." He looked around, scanning their precarious situation. "How do we get off this thing?"

Before anyone could answer, a loud rumbling echoed across the horizon.

"Ah!" Lloyd's voice came through the intercom of his vehicle, his eyes widening. "The Lost City of Ouroboros! We're almost there!" He slammed his foot on the gas, pushing the engine to its limit.

Wu, now alone with Pythor, drew his staff. His gaze was unwavering as he faced the Anacondrai general.

"This ends now."

Pythor smirked, baring his fangs. "So be it."

—

Meanwhile, back on the remaining portion of the train, Cole let out an exhausted yawn, stretching his arms as the train finally lurched to a stop. The ninja, now waiting on solid ground, watched as Nya impatiently tapped her foot.

"This is really boring," she muttered.

A moment later, Lloyd maneuvered his vehicle into place, expertly anchoring the train. With a confident smirk, he called out, "Hook, line, and sinker."

"Lloyd!" The ninja all turned toward him, relieved.

Kai immediately hopped onto the vehicle. "To Ouroboros—fast as you can."

Lloyd gave him a salute. "Aye, aye, captain."

—

Above them, a massive dark shadow passed over the group.

Jinx's elemental dragon swooped down, gliding parallel to them, its dark winds kicking up dust from the ground. As it leveled with their position, Jinx leaned forward, peering down at them with a curious expression.

"Hey, guys!" he called out. "Wait—were you in the train this whole time?"

The ninja, still catching their breath, collectively shouted:

"YES!!"

Jinx blinked. "…Well, you guys should've given me a signal or something."

The ninja all started to retort—but then hesitated.

Because, well… he had a point.

With a collective sigh, they shook their heads and refocused. The real battle was still ahead.

Without wasting another moment, they took off, following the Serpentine's stolen bus as it rumbled toward the Lost City of Ouroboros.

Pythor: You're getting slow, old man. (They crash near the city's entrance. Pythor gets to the statue.) Finally, the Great Devourer will be awakened. (He inserts the Fangblades.) Perfect. (He laughs.) It's working! Awaken, great one! Awaken the insatiable appetite of the beast that will consume all of Ninjago!

Pythor smirked, his fangs gleaming in the eerie light of the Lost City of Ouroboros. He twirled his staff as he circled Wu, his voice laced with mockery.

"You're getting slow, old man."

Wu barely had time to react before the two of them crashed near the city's entrance, tumbling across the ancient stone ground. Dust and debris scattered into the air as the impact shook the ruins.

But Pythor was already back on his feet. His red eyes gleamed with unholy excitement as he darted toward the massive serpentine statue at the city's heart.

Finally, after all these years.

Standing before the towering relic, he raised the four sacred Fangblades high above his head.

"Finally!" His voice rang with triumph. "The Great Devourer will be awakened!"

With a decisive thrust, Pythor slammed the Fangblades into their designated slots. A deep, guttural rumble pulsed through the ancient ruins, and the statue's eyes glowed an eerie green.

Pythor threw back his head and laughed.

"It's working!" he declared. "Awaken, great one! Awaken, insatiable beast! Rise and consume all of Ninjago!"

Behind him, Wu struggled to his feet, eyes wide with horror. "What have you done!?"

Pythor turned, sneering. "Don't you see, Sensei?" He spread his arms, reveling in the moment. "Releasing the Great Devourer is the only way to avenge my people! The people of Ninjago buried us! Locked us underground for centuries! We should have been rulers of the surface! Not you!"

Wu's face hardened. "You are playing with a power that cannot be controlled."

A deep, ominous growl rumbled from below, shaking the very foundations of Ouroboros.

Wu took a step forward, his voice urgent. "It will consume everything—even the Serpentine!"

Pythor ignored him, his focus entirely on the pulsating energy of the temple. "Unleash, Great Devourer!" he commanded. "Be free to do my bidding, for I have awakened you!"

High above the ruins, Lloyd gripped the controls of the Ultra Dragon, guiding it toward the battle.

"Okay, Kai," he called over the wind. "Putting you guys down right after that truck!"

The ninja braced themselves as they prepared to jump.

"Wait up, guys—" Lloyd's voice faltered.

Below them, the serpentine statue trembled.

Then— it crumbled.

Pythor's triumphant laughter halted abruptly.

"No… No!" He scrambled forward, his claws digging into the crumbling stone. "It isn't inside the statue?! Then… where is it?!"

A deep, earth-shattering tremor rolled through the ruins.

Wu's eyes sharpened. "You shall stay to see what you have done."

The ground beneath them buckled violently.

Pythor's smug expression vanished. His red eyes widened in horror.

"No." He spun to Wu, frantically grabbing his arm. "Let me go, you fool! Don't you see?!"

The ground exploded.

A monstrous, titanic head—glowing green with venomous energy—erupted from beneath the ruins. The very earth seemed to scream as the beast tore its way to the surface.

Pythor's voice was a strangled whisper.

"It's… underneath us."

Wu stood firm, unwavering, as the Great Devourer rose.

"This is our destiny."

From their vantage point, the ninja stared in shock.

Kai's voice barely carried over the roaring wind. "What… what's going on? Who's that creature underground?"

Jinx, hovering above them on his dragon, crossed his arms and scoffed.

"The Great Devourer, dumbass."

Wu turned back to the ninja, his voice calm but urgent.

"You must do everything in your power to stop the Great Devourer."

The serpent lurched forward, its massive maw yawning wide.

"Go, ninja—GO!"

"No, Sensei!" Kai shouted.

But it was too late.

The Great Devourer lunged.