Rise of the Snakes: Charlie's Story

The Royal Blacksmiths

In the Destiny's Bounty, the ninja were trying to figure out how to stop Pythor from getting another Fangblade while examining a hologram of one.

"They got the first one," Nya said. "But there are three more, and we just need one to stop Pythor. They have a map, and we don't, so the question remains: how are we gonna find them first?"

"I still can't get over the fact that you were they mysterious Samurai." Jay said completely ignoring her question. "Is anyone else blown away like I am?"

"We're over that. Can we move on?" Kai said annoyed.

Jay stammered. "Someon a little hot under the collar."

"It appears his impatience is because he had not found inner peace and unlocked his full potential like you and I have, Jay." Zane said with a knowing smirk.

"Great observation, Mr. Roboto, but Cole and Charlie haven't found it either." Kai snapped back.

"I got it!" Cole said suddenly.

"You've unlocked it?" Kai asked worriedly. "Oh, why am I the only one?!"

"Quit fretting." Charlie said. To tell the truth she was also anxious to unlock her True Potential.

"No, I figured out where I recognized the Fangblade from." Cole said. "I have a picture of it." He left to go get it.

"Oh, haha, is that it? Heh. Good." Kai said sheepishly.

Cole returned with a photo album. "I got it!" He showed them a picture of a Fangblade.

"That's it!" Jay said.

"Back where I grew up," Cole started. "There's this pretty big competition where every year the winner gets the Blade Cup. My dad's won it multiple times."

"You never told us your dad was an accomplished athlete. What sport?" Zane asked.

"Oh, h-he's a, uh...a blacksmith." Cole mumbled.

"Nothing wrong with that." Kai said. "My father was a blacksmith, too. But I've never heard of a competition-"

"That's because he's not a 'blacksmith' blacksmith." Cole clarified. "He's a... Royal Blacksmith." He turned the page to show them a picture of his dad, smiled and holding the trophy. Everyone snickered except Charlie, she put her hand on Cole's shoulder.

"That's your dad?" Jay asked.

"But how did the Fangblade become a trophy?" Charlie asked to save Cole's pride.

"Well," Cole said. "Supposedly, the Blade Cup was made by a guy who collected priceless artifacts. His name was something like, ub, Dutch...no, Clutch. Clutch Powers! Anyway, it gets passed to each year's winner."

"Who has it now?" Zane asked.

Cole walked over to the wheel. "I don't know. I haven't talked to my father in years.*

"Well then, call him up." Kai said.

"You can't!" Cole said. Charlie saw the worry in his eyes. "He thinks I'm in Ninjago City training at the Mary Oppenheimer School of Performing Arts." He groaned. "He wanted me to follow in his footsteps. But when I couldn't sing or dance, well I ...I ran away. When he sees I can't dance, he'll know I've been lying in all the letters I've been sending him."

"He doesn't know you're a Ninja?" Asked Zane.

"What?" Cole asked slightly defensively. "You gonna crack some joke that my old man wears a tutu?"

"No," Kai said. "But if we're going to have any chance at getting that Fangblade before they do, we better get our act in tune."

~~~~~~~