Chapter 36: Only One Can Remain.
"Welcome to Chen's Island," Clouse declared, gesturing to the monumental temple before them. "The Tournament of Elements welcomes its brave fighters." Some boat workers grabbed a plank and lowered it to the dock, creating a bridge for them to step on. "Master Chen will be pleased you've returned... Sensei Garmadon." He sneered, turning his back on the boat and Garmadon.
"The pleasure is all mine, Clouse," Garmadon said calmly.
"I'm sure it is." Clouse brushed him aside and continued walking, leading the masters to the temple -- a large red monument with golden trim, slithering up to between the rafters, and down into the carpet. The roof was in a traditional Chinese style, a deep grey that turned up at the corners. The door was a huge arch, and there were balconies at every window. One could call it gorgeous, but it was also emanating a feeling of dread, like something nasty was going on behind the scenes.
"Definitely feeling some tension between you two. And how is it we're on an island I've never seen on any map?" Jay asked.
"And care to explain how the face of Ninjago's most popular noodle house is secretly hosting an underground fighting tournament?!" Cole said, crossing his arms.
"Master Chen used to be a friend, now he's a traitor," Garmadon said. "During the Serpentine Wars, Chen turned against his kind and sided with the snakes, creating a rift in the balance of the long war."
"The battle you and Uncle Wu fought together in-he was an enemy?" Lloyd interrupted.
"He used deception to divide the Elemental Masters. We barely ended the war with little bloodshed. And in a deal for his surrender, Chen was never to leave this island. Little did we know, he'd begin to build his criminal empire from here."
"Master Chen may have divided the past Elemental Masters, but he's not gonna divide us. We're stronger than that, and we've got both sides on our team this time." Lloyd said, gesturing to the Ninja.
Just then, Kai turned around to find the mysterious girl in the orange hoodie again. He pushed the Ninja aside to let her pass, grinning at her as she did. She seemed ungrateful and uninterested. Lloyd sighed exasperatedly.
"Fire will melt her icy heart, just you wait." He said, eyeing her as she walked towards the temple with no regard for the Fire Ninja's kindness.
"Remember guys, this is a big island," Cole said as the five walked up the stairs to the temple. "Zane could be anywhere-keep an eye out."
The huge doors before them swung open loudly, revealing a long line of men wearing hoods, chanting and banging drums in a hypnotic rhythm. Clouse led the group to the temple.
"Hah! So this is the house that Noodles built! Always wanted to go to a red-carpet event." Jay said, sauntering.
"Chen lives like a king," Garmadon said. "Here, he's totally self-sufficient. The only way on or off this island is with his permission, which you have to earn."
"You never told me about this place," Lloyd said. "How do you know so much about Chen and this island?"
"Because before he was my enemy..." Garmadon stopped walking and opened the back of his gi to reveal a long, spiralling purple snake tattooed on his shoulder blade. "He was my Sensei." This tattoo is the symbol that represents anyone who's worked under Master Chen, the symbol of the Anacondrai Cult.
***
In the large banquet hall of the temple, Garmadon and all the elemental masters sat in a half-circle on the carpet.
"You never told me you had a Sensei," Lloyd said.
"When I was your age, I... Sought a darker means of guidance. He taught me to win at all costs, no matter who I hurt. It was only when you saved me that I saw the light." Garmadon placed his hand on Lloyd's shoulder and smiled.
"Apparently, he also taught you never to have a sense of humour. Lighten up!" Jay said. "We're in an underground noodle fight club. This is supposed to be fun."
A large gong was hit and a resounding CLANG hit the masters' ears. Then, with the intercom speakers blaring a type of fanfare, Clouse called out to the room to stand for the incoming Master Chen, who appeared to be arriving on a chair lowered by ropes.
As Chen slowly lowered himself in his chair and all the Elemental Masters stood up, the ninja began to mutter amongst each other.
"Look at that robe!" Kai said in awe. "It's like twenty feet long!" The robe in question was only about two, but the way it dangled beneath the chair limply made it appear to be much larger.
"And that headpiece," Jay gasped. "Wow! I could see myself wearing that. But-?" He whispered, pointing to the large purple ribbon that framed Chen's face. Kai gasped.
"A baby Anacondrai..." Kai whispered. His eyes lit up with anger and he clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. He then went silent - either because he was too angry or too full of grief to speak, or because he didn't want to speak out at the time.
"Hey, Kai, you'll be alright to sit through this, right?" Cole asked, peering from behind Lloyd's head. Kai looked down, his eyebrows furrowed and still did not respond.
"Welcome to the Tournament of Elements!" Chen yelled, addressing the circle of young men and women. "Every one of you here is special. You are the sixteen Elemental Masters chosen by the Gods!" He smiled. "Here I have a staff, capable of holding unimaginable power!" He held up his large blue staff, emblazoned with the monshō of the Anacondrai and holding a large gray crystal. "If you win this tournament, you can win this staff and all the power that it holds." This caused an uproar of muttering, whispering and, apparently, already starting fights.
"Of course he's giving away power," Lloyd said, rolling his eyes. "Why is it always 'power?' Why not riches or enrichment or something?" He sighed.
"Because everyone wants to be strong." Jay said. "Nobody wants 'enrichment' if they can sacrifice it for being powerful."
"Yeah, but power isn't everything in life." Lloyd said. "I mean, I should know, right? I feel so empty without the rest of you, even though I've got all the power I need. Right, Kai? You appreciate friends more than power, right?" Kai was no longer there.
