The legend of the light ninja

Chapter Three ~ King of Shadows

*I DO NOT OWN THE NINJAGO UNIVERSE AND ITS PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING CHARACTERS. AND THE PLOT OF THE SHOW. I ONLY OWN MY CURRENT CHARACTER | SAMUEL JASON HOLLAND. *

The ship carved its way through the merciless Frozen Wastlands, its hull creaking against jagged ice as the wind howled around them. Snow-capped mountains towered in the distance, and the bitter air stung their faces like needles. On board, four ninjas and Sam, accompanied by Sensei Wu, are on their quest to retrieve the legendary Shurkiens of Ice. Jay, typically the group's joker, struggled to lighten the mood. Despite the cold and weight of their mission, he attempted with humour.

"I spy something...white," Jay quipped, his voice echoing faintly in the frozen silence.

Cole, burdened with steering the ship, sighed heavily. "Can you try to keep quiet for once? This isn't easy," he grumbled from the helm.

The boat suddenly lurched, causing the group to stumble. Jay yelped as he nearly toppled into Sam, who caught him by the collar just in time.

Jay clung closer than necessary, shivering. "S-so cold," he muttered, pressing into Sam's side. "Sam...you're warm, right? Just a little?"

Sam gave him a flat look. "Jay. Go hug Kai or something. His element is fire."

Kai crossed his arms firmly. "Yeah, no. Not happening."

"Fine!" Jay huffed, dramatically throwing his arms around Sam and trapping one of his arms in the process. "Guess I'll hug Sammy, my buddy." He sighed contentedly as warmth spread through him. "Mmm. Better already."

Sam groaned, but didn't push the blue ninja away. "You're crushing me."

"Nope. Too comfy. You're stuck with me," Jay replied smugly, ignoring Sam's half-hearted struggles.

Cole glanced back from the helm with a grin. "Looks like Jay found his survival strategy."

Zane, watching curiously, tilted his head. "Perhaps...this bonding is beneficial for morale in adverse conditions."

Sam sighed. "Let's just call it that."
Jay reluctantly loosened his grip on Sam to listen, though he stayed close for warmth. To Sam's surprise, Kai wandered over to his other side, shoulders brushing against his own. Despite being the ninja of fire, Kai's face was pale from the cold, and his body trembled.

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Really? Aren't you supposed to be a walking furnace?"

Kai avoided his eyes, muttering. "Shut up. It's freezing." After a beat, quieter, he admitted, "Besides...right now, I only trust you."

Sam blinked at Kai's words, heavier than the icy wind. He didn't reply, but he shifted slightly so Kai could lean in closer.

Breaking the silence, Kai's brow furrowed as he voiced his frustration. "If Sensei knows the way to the Golden Weapons, why isn't he steering the ship? We've been adrift for miles."

Zane, ever calm and analytical, offered his perspective. "Sensei's wisdom surpasses ours," he replied evenly, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Sam stood silently beside him, scanning the desolate, frozen landscape sliding past them like an endless wall of white.

Below them, Wu's authoritative voice cut through the tension, "The power of Spinjitzu lies in the combination of all four elements: Earth, Ice, Fire and Lightning!" His words rang out clear over the wind, carrying weight and certainty.

Jay, letting go of Sam, descended the wooden plank steps, reaching Wu's side, and couldn't resist asking the burning question. "What happens when all of them are combined?" his gaze shifted between Wu and Sam.

"The Tornado of Creation," Wu answered directly. "It has the power to create something out of nothing."

Kai was absorbing Wu's words and nodded solemnly. "Disastrous consequences if done incorrectly," he muttered, his tone reflecting Wu's warning.

Wu's words hung heavy in the air, his warnings lingering as Kai's curiosity almost pushed him too far. Sam watched with concern, knowing too well the dangers of untamed power.

"No, Kai! If done incorrectly, it will lead to disastrous consequences," Wu snapped sharply.