The Hand of Time (Ninjago AU)

Chapter 3

"What is that?" He had to squint through the fog and rain to see what was coming his way. "The legendary Destiny's Bounty? How's it flying? What's it doing here, now?" Acronix asked himself. "This has been a strange day."

"I don't see Master Wu." Lloyd spoke sadly.

Jay hummed. "I only see that guy." He pointed at the strange masked figure standing in their previous home."

"Well, who is it?" Cole asked Jay.

A glint entered Jay's eyes. "I don't know. Let's find out."

With the pull of a lever, down went the anchor. Jay lept over the side sliding down the chain.

"Wait!" Lloyd shouted.

Two feet padded beside Acronix, catching his attention. "A ninja." The man said, confused. Shouldn't a pirate be on a pirate ship?

"Hi? Maybe you could help me out?" Jay asked. The face seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it. "I'm looking for someone."

Acronix decided to humor the idea he'd gotten. "Who do you seek ninja?"

"Spinjitzu Master, 'yay' tall, goes by the name Wu?" Jay asked stepping cautiously toward the man.

"Haven't seen him." Acronix knew his smile would give him away, but he was feeling nasty today. Another fight would be perfect. He watched the blue ninja look around. This one would surely go faster than Wu.

There was far more battle damage than they'd left the monastery with. Things had fallen over and slash marks were everywhere.

"Huh. That's odd." He saw the man's smirk fade. "Cause, judging by all the slash marks around here, I think you have!"

Jay pulled his nunchucks from his side holster.

Acronix watched the electricity pulse through the metal chain. He pulled his mask up, over his nose.

"The new master of lightning, I presume." He spoke to himself.

"Jay just pulled his nunchucks. We gotta get down there." Lloyd said. "Nya, can you land the bounty?"

"Not gonna work. Not enough room."

"It's just one guy." Cole started. "I'm sure Jay can handle," he paused, "whoever that is."

"P.I.X.A.L.?" Zane asked.

She used what Zane had seen earlier and what he was seeing now to assess.

"Scanning." She paused. "It would appear to be-"

Zane's eyes widened. "Acronix!"

"Acronix, as in, Acronix and Krux? The Hands of Time?" Cole asked quickly. You could feel the fear radiate off him.

"From that painting?" Kai asked. "Dr. Saunders said that battle was a myth?"

"Even if it was, it was 40 years ago. Acronix would be an old man by now. That guy looks young." Lloyd observed.

"That's not possible. Unless he time-traveled?" Nya suggested.

Zane turned toward the cockpit. "We have to get down there. Now!"

There was no telling what Acronix could do. They'd never even heard of him before today.

Jay and Acronix threw around their weapons.

Eventually, Jay used his power against the new foe. He shot a bolt of lightning at the man before he disappeared. Jay took a second to comprehend what just happened.

"Boo." A voice behind him called out.

Jay turned around to see the man up close, for half a second, before being launched into the rubble.