*+.The Golden Tournament.+*

1. The Invitation

It was just another day at the monastery. The ninja all sat together on the couch, playing video games. Jay was about to beat Kai's high score on the newest game; 'Dragon Rider 2'. "Oooh! Get the boost!", Cole said just as a little arrow popped up. "Look out! Hunter below!", Zane warned, slightly standing.

Nya sighed and shook her head. "Ninja, you need to train! Enough games!", Wu said as he unplugged the console. The ninja shouted in anguish. "I was about to beat Kai's high score!!", Jay pouted, plugging the console back in.

Wu smacked his hand away from the cord. "OW- Hey!!!", Jay yelped, rubbing his hand. "If you trained a little more, you would have seen me coming", Wu said, walking out. Nya giggled a bit.

The ninja groaned and walked into their rooms to get their clothes. "I like having a break once in a while!", Lloyd said, walking out and picking up his sword. "We will have a nice dinner after you finish training", Wu said, sitting down with some tea.

"Maybe if you're good, I can make some cake for you", Pixal noted, walking out of the living room. Cole's attitude immediately changed, his eyes sparkling in happiness. "Cake!?", he shouted cheerfully, "Say no more!!"

Cole began training immediately. "In addition to that, maybe we'll let you guys try out the new thing", Nya added in, a slight teasing tune in her voice. The ninja's interest was peaked immediately. "New thing?", Jay asked, making puppy eyes to see if Nya would fall for them and tell him. "Ohh no, Jay", Nya said, smirking, "Those puppy eyes aren't gonna work on me!"

Jay pouted and continued training. Nya walked away into the living room, going into the garage. Wu went away to meditate as well.

The ninja immediately began to enthusiastically discuss what the 'new thing' might be.

"New mechs?", Zane said, his mechanical eyes sparking at the thought of a new giant suit.

"Fancy weapons?", Jay shouted, swinging around his nun-chucks.

"Ooh what about vehicles!", Kai added in, moving his hands like holding a driving wheel.

"What about a giant vehicle that holds mechs and has fancy weapons!?", Cole exclaimed, bouncing around at the mere thought of it. The ninja were immediately hopping on that idea, naming a bunch of weapons that could possibly be on the dream vehicle.

Suddenly, the gate to the monastery let out a ring. Lloyd went over and peeked through the door, opening it when he saw the mailman. "Here ya go, ninja", the odd mail deliverer said, handing over seven thin envelopes.

The ninja noticed that the names Lloyd, Jay, Nya, Cole, Kai, Zane, and Wu were on these letters. The corresponding people each took their letter and opened it. When all letters were opened, a thin wisp of gold flew out of the thin paper.

A tall man with large feathery wings stood before them now. "If you have received this message, you have been invited to the Golden Tournament", the golden wisp boomed, "The names of those found on the covers of these letters are free to attend this tournament. If you wish to attend, meet by the Borg Tower by sunset. Ta, ta!"

The wisp disappeared in a wonderful show of sparkling gold swirls.

"Hmm...", Wu inquired, stroking his beard as thoughts poured into his mind. The ninja all looked at each other.

"I dunno about you guys, but after the last tournament we've been in, I don't think I'd like to hear the 't' word again", Cole said, crossing his arms and laying back.

"Yeah", Lloyd agreed, "It's usually around here that things go wrong."

The ninja nodded and mumbled agreements in unison. Wu lifted his hand in a swift hushing motion. "I think we must attend.", Wu said, lifting his head and putting his hand down. The ninja looked shocked.

"With all do respect, sensei, we don't have the best of luck with these things", Kai said, spreading his hands on the table. Wu simply blinked.

"Of all people, I would know that very well, Kai", Wu spoke, standing up. The ninja chuckled a tad bit nervously. Pixal held in a laugh, knowing how unlucky these ninjas tended to be.

"That winged figure is an old friend of mine", Wu spoke. His tone obviously showed that a story was about to commence. The ninja all turned their attention to him, the curious looks on their faces un-wavering.

"His name is Makeyomi, a Tengu", Wu said calmly, "He helped in many wars, and his father helped with the building of Ninjago's first cities. Makeyomi organized the best battle plans, and had the most nutritional and plant knowledge. He is the reason for some of the tea I am able to collect, and for some of the food knowledge that is normal today. However, long ago in a war against Samukai, he disappeared. I think it would be smart to find out where he had gone, and if this message is simply an old recording of a lost friend."

"Wow! So he is the reason for many of the healthy foods we know of today!", Zane spoke in slight awe. Lloyd was mainly focused on the fact that this 'Makeyomi' fellow helped with the creation of Ninjago itself.

"My only issue with this is that you said that he is a Tengu", Pixal said, her hands intertwined, "Isn't that some kind of bird demon? Last my databases checked, demons are bad"

Wu nodded. "Most demons yes, but Tengu, though often hostile, are known to help those they care about", he said, stirring a cup of tea, "And usually when they choose a friend, they stick to that friend. This is the root of my worry, as he has disappeared without word or trace. I fear the worst."

"Looks like we're going to the tournament then", Lloyd announced, standing.

"This is gonna be one heck of a ride."