The Truth about Chen's Noodle House

Crumbling Empire part 1

As usual, Chen was headed down into the factory. He felt some unusual heat from the door as he opened it only to be greeted by thick black smoke. The sound of a roaring fire was easily heard as several guards rushed out, nearly knocking Chen over. "W-What's going on down here??" Chen demanded and coughed loudly. "Master Chen, the fire got a bit...out of control." Krait coughed and slammed the door shut.

"A BIT?! YOU IDIOTS! I SHALL HAVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU EXECUTED AT ONCE!" Chen screamed angrily and punched Krait in the stomach. He staggered back and fell onto the rock floor. The flames crackled loudly as the smoke began to pour out from the cracks of the wooden door. "We've lost about 16 guards already!" Zugu yelled as he pulled Krait back up to his feet. "Oh but my noodle factory..." Chen whimpered.

Skylor ran down through the labyrinth's long twisted tunnels and found the one that lead to the factory which strangely had large puffs of smoke rushing towards her. "Father?" She called out and got down on her hands and knees. She slowly crawled forward, trying to avoid the smoke above her. Suddenly, she saw someone running towards her. They were coughing loudly and didn't notice Skylor until they tripped on her arm. "Ow!" She winced in pain and turned herself around, still on all fours.

The person grunted and stood up, choking on the smoke. "Skylor, what are you doing down here?" The master of amber instantly recognized that voice. "Clouse...Where's my father?" She mumbled and stood up. The flickering light of the fire was getting closer. Without a response he grabbed her wrist and ran off through the dungeon tunnels until they were far enough away from the smoke. "Where is my father??" Skylor repeated, getting a little frustrated by the fact that he wouldn't answer her.

"All I know is that the labyrinth is going to collapse if we don't get out of here now so I suggest you keep it quiet!" Clouse snapped angrily as he continued running. Skylor rolled her eyes and yanked free from his tight grip. "If you're going to act stubborn, so be it!" He growled. Suddenly the walls began to rumble and groan. Skylor darted ahead of Clouse and whizzed away through the tunnels, leaving him behind. The master of speed's power was quite useful as she reached the exit.

"Skylor!" Chen ran over to his daughter. "What were you doing down there?? You do realize there's a fire in my factory, right??" He demanded and examined her for injuries. "Father, I'm fine. I was looking for you." She gently pulled away from her father as the rumbling from the labyrinth got louder. Clouse leaped out into the opening and tumbled into the wall. "Clouse, you were down there too?" Chen asked. Clouse nodded and stood up. Suddenly a large explosion far beneath the ground rattled the entire temple. "Father..." Skylor gasped as the aroma of smoke got strong.

"It's starting.." Chen's voice was low as he spoke. The sound of cracking wooden planks got louder as a brightly decorated wall gave way. The lights began to buzz and flicker. The large golden chandelier in the middle of the throne room began to spark. The lightbulbs broke and shattered, sending small shards of glass down onto the floor. "Father...where are the rest of the elemental fighters??" The orange ninja gasped. "Down in the factory...Well what's left of it." Chen answered, giggling like a small child.

Skylor narrowed her eyes at Chen. "Of all times to be laughing...Our home is going to be destroyed." "My daughter, you forgot about the spell..." Chen smirked and picked up his elemental staff. "I have every elemental power...except for one." Master Chen's eyes locked onto his daughter's as she stepped back, her heart pounding faster.

((I was gone on a trip, so sorry for not updating!))