Destiny Calls ► Ninjago [✓]

xxix | Dangerous Rescue Mission

Everyone ran out at the slight quake. Confirming Cole's previous statement, they had indeed reached their destination.

The Fire Temple was large from a distance and even grander in closer vicinity. And like Nya implied, it appeared very unstable.

Wu turned to his most recent pupil. "Scarlett... I need you to stay behind for this mission."

"What?" She frowned. "Why?"

"This volcano is unsafe for you. Your powers may be heavily affected by the overwhelming heat and flames. You are incendiary."

Scarlett's head drooped. While she had better control of her powers, she wasn't sure if she could take that much pressure. Maybe he was right.

But Garmadon actually intervened. "Is that so? I think it's a perfect opportunity to exploit her abilities."

"... exploit?" she repeated, a bit unnerved at that word.

"Oh, is that what I said?" he asked with a sudden smug smirk. "My apologies, I mean train. If she has the Dragon's Flame, she may be able to make the volcano her own."

Cole was now intrigued. "What... are you talking about?"

Yet Zane already had an idea of what he referred to. "He's right... isn't he, Sensei? If she can concentrate enough to make the volcano's flames match her elemental power, can't she take control of the entire rock?"

Scarlett looked up at him, lost. "I... can?"

"Remember I asked if you could put the ring of flames out when Nya and Jay were on the rollercoaster?" Zane tried jogging her memory. "You were too worried to even try."

"She can, yes," Wu agreed with the nindroid's observation; he didn't have recollection of that event, though. "But regardless, I'm not so sure that's a smart idea... it may backfire."

"It can help getting my son back all the easier," Garmadon told him. "Brother... she can annihilate all those snakes effortlessly."

There was a sort of venom to his voice. The evil in his body had resurfaced, just for that moment. He wanted those who hurt his family to suffer.

But even then, his first priority was the same. Lloyd.

Jay seemed nervous. "Sensei might be right... what if she accidentally kills us?"

Scarlett shook her head, turning back to their master. "Sensei... I wanna help in any way I can. I don't want to sit around while this can be an opportunity for me and for all of us."

Besides, if Kai and his attitude could go in there no problem, why couldn't she?

After a few seconds, Wu sighed. "Very well. You need to be as calm as possible throughout the entire mission."

He was hesitant, unable to shake the feeling that something may go wrong. But he wanted to have trust in his pupil, and clearly, his brother did.

Pushing it to the back of his mind, he turned to everyone. "Remember. Our only mission is to rescue Lloyd. We have the necessary Fangblade in possession; we let them take this one. Once we have Lloyd, we're off. Is that understood?"

The five ninjas nodded. Garmadon felt a slight bout of relief wash over him.

With that, they began their entrance. Nya was reporting to them over the communicators.

"The volcano seems to be on the verge of eruption, guys. All recent indicators tell me that this place is becoming increasingly fragile. Even the smallest rupture can make the whole thing go off."