The Liar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 22

Cole

If it wasn't weird already to find out the lightening ninja was your best friend, it was definitely weird what transpired afterwards. First, they were pulling out their weapons to fight the next they were gaping at who they saw. The past week had definitely been the most eventful in Cole's life that's for sure.

Cole stood in shock as he stared at the figure in front of them. It was a face he hadn't seen in a long time, but it was the same, nonetheless. Energy was the first to break free and ran towards the man. 

"Uncle Wu!" Energy cried as he embraced the man in a large hug. The man smiled and hugged Energy back. 

"Hello nephew. I trust you're doing well?" Wu asked.

Energy nodded.

Cole walked forward, "Master?" Cole asked hesitantly.

"Hello Earth. It's nice to see you again. Same goes to all of you." Wu stated as he looked at each of the ninja. 

Cole noticed Fire walk forward to stand beside him. "Master Wu, where have you been?" Kai asked with a serious expression.

Wu let out a small chuckle, "You haven't changed at all, Fire." He stated with a smile. Cole heard Fire snort.

Jay walked over to Wu and bowed. "Nice to see you master." Jay stated with a grin.

"Welcome back Master Wu." Water greeted with a small bow.

Ice walked over and lowered his head, "Greetings master. Energy, you're Wu's nephew?" Ice asked turning to the boy who was still focused on his uncle.

Energy looked at Ice and nodded, "I am." He answered with a nod. 

Cole looked from Energy to his master. "Well, that's interesting." Cole commented. 

Fire glanced at him and playfully rolled his eyes. 

Wu's face straightened as he looked over them. "Great evil has been released, by whom I don't know." Wu stated darkly.

Everyone turned to Wu, and he gestured for them to sit. Cole sat down next to Fire and looked to his master. 

"You mean Nightmare shit?" Kai asked.

Wu glanced at Fire. "You know of him?" Wu asked.

Energy nodded at his uncle. "Yes, we do. Nightmare visited Lightening last night." Energy answered with a careful expression.

Wu shook his head. "So, you already know quite a bit, but do you know his powers?" Wu asked.

Cole shook his head, "No, he only threatened Jay. We don't actually know what he's capable of." Cole explained.

Wu sighed. "I don't have much time, so I'll explain what I can. His name is Alptraum. Long ago he fought alongside the Overlord. Alptraum was created in the departed realm, he was released by the Overlord during the First Spinjitzu master's battle against the darkness. During the battle, the first spinjitzu master was able to lock him up deep in the earth where he would remain until he was found and released. I fear he has returned. Alptraum was a great opponent due to his power over illusions and tricks of the mind. He can look into the minds of men and know their greatest fears. Alptraum can make a man's worst nightmare his reality by creating an illusion of it. How this happens I don't know. I haven't discovered the extent of his ability, but I advise you to be careful." Wu stated. For a minute it looked as if his form flickered.

"Master?" Cole asked hesitantly.

Wu looked at Cole sadly, "You noticed my form, yes?" Wu asked.

Cole nodded, "You're not really here, are you?" Cole asked. The ninja glanced at Cole and frowned. 

"No, I'm not. I had to warn you though. Alptraum will do whatever it takes to trick you and turn you against each other. He will mess with your mind and will bring forward you most painful memories." Wu stated, Cole noticed that Wu looked at Fire when he said that. "However, he has a weakness. He is only partly out of his cell underground. Yes, he is here, but his spirit remains in his prison. If you can destroy his spirit he will be banished back into the departed realm. The reason he needs you to turn yourselves in is because he can't take you on in his present form. He needs one of you to betray the others, and he needs all of you in order to fully emerge from his prison." Wu added. Cole noticed Jay gasp, but he said nothing.

Cole stood up, "How do we find this prison?" Cole asked. Wu sighed, "I cannot answer that. Only you can." Wu stated. "Earth, you are the king of the land and mountains. You'll know when the time has come." Wu answered. Cole nodded and looked down, putting a hand on the ground. It's true, he had been feeling tremors in the earth ever since the gangs and thugs had stopped attacking. If somehow, he could locate the source of it, he bet that that was where the prison was.

"Alptraum has all of the villains and gangs of Ninjago city on his side. We aren't only facing one man. We're facing every villain we've ever faced, except for the ones that are dead." Fire stated. Cole glanced over at Fire and saw him clenching his fists. 

Wu nodded and his vision started to fade. "My time has ended." Wu murmured. Cole looked at his master sadly, "Promise you'll come back to us master." Cole stated. Wu nodded at him. "Good luck ninja." Wu declared as he faded away.

Cole looked down and rested in the silence that followed.

"So... what now?" Jay asked as he put his mask back on. 

Ice glanced at Jay. "We come up with a plan and we stick together. We can't risk losing each other. Earth, do you know how to find the prison?" Ice stated.

Cole shrugged, "I think so, but I'll need more time. On top of that I have school tomorrow." Cole answered with a pout.

Ice nodded at him. "Take as much time as you need but remember that we don't have long. The longer we wait the more people will disappear and the stronger the enemy will get. We have to hurry." Ice stated.

Cole nodded in understanding and looked around at the others who were silent.

"What do we do?" Water asked, looking at Ice.

"Train and try to protect as many people as you can. We need to warn the commissioner and warn the people; however, only tell them what's necessary." Ice replied.

Water nodded as did the others. 

Ice glanced to the sky and frowned. "It's about three so I think we all should head home. I want everyone out scouting tonight by ten. Even if we can't save the citizens, try to figure out where the people get taken to. Got it?" Ice stated.

Cole nodded, "Got it, I'll see you at ten." Cole answered. "Will we meet here?" Cole asked as he looked to Ice.

Ice nodded in affirmative. "Yes, meet back here at ten. I'll explain more once we regroup. Anyways, see you guys." Ice said. He turned and ran off towards the city. Cole looked after him then looked at the others. 

"Well? Are we going to head home or...?" Cole asked with a laugh. 

Water chuckled, "See you guys later." She said as she ran after Ice.

"Welp, I guess I'm going to head home now. See you guys in a bit!" Cole stated. He turned and ran into the woods toward home.

...who did you all think the "Intruder" was? I'm kinda curious to who you all thought it was.