RHYS

A/N I should get a second chapter out today as well. I hate releasing chapters from my OC perspective by themselves. No one wants to read about my OCs. They're here for the ninja (that's why I'm here anyway). 

These perspectives only exist for story purposes. I originally wasn't going to have any chapters from Rhys's perspective but found it made the story a lot harder to understand. He's an exposition dump character. I try to keep these chapters as short as possible. This one's a little longer because Jay makes an appearance and steals the show. 

(Complete side note: So far, I've written 5627 words from Nya's perspective, 5176 from Kai's, 4319 from Rhys's, and 9325 from Jay's. HMMMM, I wOnDEr WhO mY FaVouRiTE cHaRActEr iS?)

But I did enjoy Jay's interaction with the bad guys in this chapter. (shout out to Jay for having chemistry with every character he's ever exchanged dialogue with. He doesn't get enough credit for his superhuman people skills.) 

Anyways, I'll release Nya's chapter the second I'm done editing so you can read about the characters you actually care about. 

Doctor Kirk and Rhys weaved through the tunnels to avoid crossing paths with the ninja. They circled around and came up outside the compound. Then they went to the Conference Room.

Doctor Kirk went to work drawing up plans for his device. He only had a notepad to write on. So he filled up pages and pages of information. It took a few minutes before Doctor Kirk had finished relaying all the information he desired. He handed the notepad to Rhys. All the scribbles drawn on that paper meant nothing to Rhys. But he was to hand the notepad off to a clan member that could understand the plan. They'd start work on the machine, while Doctor Kirk began running tests on the Master of Lightning.

Rhys delivered the notes to a clan member who always helps Doctor Kirk with his machinery. That's when Rhys learned that the setup for Kirk's plan involved working with the existing wires in the tunnel. A dangerous feat... they'd have to shut off all power for a few minutes to set up such a device. Rhys did not want to risk electrocuting a Clan Member. However, in the end, Rhys gave into Doctor Kirk's will. He trusted Doctor Kirk to know best.

Then Rhys went back to the Observational Room. He turned on the computer and pulled up security footage. Rhys sifted through the various cameras to find one that observed the two Elemental Masters wandering through the tunnel. Rhys bit his cheeks. This was too risky. If the other ninja saved the Master of Lightning, the Dragon Clan would be over.

The Elemental Masters were wandering in the dark, all the while, the Dragon Clan were building a machine in the tunnel. Sure, the tunnels were vast and confusing. But if the ninja found the machine or the Master of Lightning, it would be over. The footage was anxiety-inducing to watch, but it was important.

After half an hour, it must've been time to turn on the machine, because Doctor Kirk barged into the room, radio to his mouth, relaying instructions. He was wearing a tool belt. In the belt, there was a flashlight, screwdrivers, and pliers. And of course, a taser the Doctor built himself. Doctor Kirk gazed at the screen.

On the screen, Soren was walking the Master of Lightning to his cell.

"Cut power now," he commanded once he saw the other two Elemental Masters weren't near Soren and the Master of Lightning.

The lights flickered and died. Then the computer shut off.

"Are you confident you can do this? That nindroid looks complicated," Rhys said.

"So does a man," Doctor Kirk said, "But they too fall when you push the right buttons."

"If this doesn't work-"

"It will," Doctor Kirk said. Anger swirled inside of Rhys. Should he put Doctor Kirk in his place as Rhys's subordinate? No, the Doctor needed to focus. His shortness with Rhys could be dealt with afterwards.

The men sat in silence until Soren arrived through the wall that led to the tunnel.

"Ready, Doctor Kirk?" he said.

"Patience," he said, "I have to know where to go."

The lights came on again. The machine was attached to the wire and ready to be activated. Doctor Kirk waited for the computer screen to come back on. It glowed, coming to life again. He quickly flipped through all the cameras until he found the two Elemental Masters.

"They're in the west corner," Doctor Kirk said.

"They're close to the Master of Lightning," Rhys said through gritted teeth.

"We must hurry," Doctor Kirk said, following Soren into the tunnel.

A clan member ran past Doctor Kirk and Soren on their way into from the tunnel. He gave Doctor Kirk the button to activate the machine.

Rhys watched the cameras. Kirk and Soren ran through the tunnels until they caught up to the other Elemental Masters. Then they waited, following them at a distance. It was a dangerous game to play. How does one out-stealth a ninja?

The Elemental Masters were creeping closer to the Master of Lightning. Only a few corridors until they found him. But Doctor Kirk didn't activate the machine. In a moment of horror, Rhys realized Doctor Kirk intended them to find the Master of Lightning.

"Kirk," Rhys snarled. He was going to have to do something to remind Doctor Kirk who was actually in charge. He couldn't take risks Rhys didn't approve of.

Suddenly the Master of Energy pointed forward with a grin on his face. He found the Blue Ninja. He was not close enough to see the Master of Lightning. Perhaps the green ninja heard him. (How loud could one person be?) That's when Doctor Kirk pressed the button. While nothing appeared to happen, Rhys trusted that Doctor Kirk's device blocked all communications. It only lasted five minutes.

The Master of Energy ran forward. Before the Master of Ice could follow, Soren jumped and grabbed the machine. There was a brief struggle. Doctor Kirk pressed the taser to the Master of Ice. Rhys flinched at the obvious zap that caused the Master of Ice to cease his struggle. Once lowered to the ground, Doctor Kirk took out a screwdriver and began to fiddle with the Master of Ice.

Luckily, the Master of Energy had run on without him, not noticing his friend remained behind. The Master of Energy found the Master of Lightning. Only a minute went by when the Master of Energy turned around, looking for his friend.

Soren stood guard while Doctor Kirk played with the machine. He took out portions of the nindroid and flipped switches. And then, most importantly, he put something into the machine.

Soren must've heard the footsteps of the Master of Energy. He turned to Doctor Kirk who quickly finished up his modifications. He closed up the panels of the nindroid and the two ran away. Doctor Kirk started to come back to the surface. While, Soren slipped through the tunnels, taking a different path than the Master of Energy. He fetched the Master of Lightning.

The Master of Energy found the Master of Ice lying still on the ground. The green one knelt by the nindroid, a clear look of panic on his face. The Master of Ice quickly woke up.

The Master of Energy tried to communicate with his team, touching his hand to his ear. From his look of anxiety, he couldn't. Eventually, they went back to the cell where the Master of Lightning was held. But by the time they returned, the Master of Lightning was gone. Soren was taking him to the conference room to continue his tests. It seemed that the plan worked. But that depended on what the Master of Ice did next.

The door to the tunnel opened and Doctor Kirk stepped in.

"How'd it go?" Rhys said.

"I rewrote a few of the nindroid's memories," Doctor Kirk said, "Added a few. And took out a few others. The plan is in motion."

"Are you sure it worked?" Rhys said. Doctor Kirk crossed the room to the door.

"Confident," he said. Rhys glanced at the screen. The ninja appeared to be heading toward the exit of the tunnel. Or trying to. At least, attempting to retrace their steps.

"He won't betray us?" Rhys asked. He turned and realize that Doctor Kirk had left the room. Rhys sighed. He turned off the computer and followed Kirk to the Conference Room. The Doctor was absorbed in his devices. As per usual.

"Can we trust the Master of Ice?" Rhys said.

"No. But that doesn't mean we can't use him," Doctor Kirk said, not looking up from his machine.

"If you could tell me directly-" Rhys didn't finish his sentence as Soren entered the room. He was holding onto a squirming Master of Lightning. Soren had his hand cupped over the Master of Lightning's mouth.

Rhys sat at the table. Soren sat the Master of Lightning down across from Rhys.

"You know, in the past when I've been captured, villains at least have the decency to use gags instead of their gross hands!" the Master of Lightning said, "You have all the vengestone in Ninjago but no one has a gag."

"I didn't expect you to talk so much," Soren said.

"You didn't expect me to attempt to alert my friends that I was being kidnapped?" The Master of Lightning said, "And Cole tells me that my head is empty."

"He certainly more chatty than I would've assumed," Rhys observed.

"It's either genetic or part of my Elemental Powers," The Master of Lightning said.

"Soren, get the poor boy some food and water," Rhys said. Soren nodded and left the room.

"You are the nicest captors I've ever had," the Master of Lightning said, "It's getting a little confusing."

"My name is Rhys Moses. I am the chief of the Dragon Clan," Rhys said, "And what is your name?"

"Jay. Master of Lightning," Jay said, "Do you have any ninja chips?"

"No."

Jay smirked. "Can you get me some?"

Rhys glanced at Doctor Kirk. This was the Master of Lightning that single-handedly stopped their previous trial and escape with a child and a dragon?

"Jay, we are going to continue measuring your electrical output," Doctor Kirk said, gesturing to the machine on the table, "Remember the sensors?"

Jay allowed Doctor Kirk to wrap the sensors around him. Doctor Kirk continued his research. Somehow, Rhys expected the Master of Lightning to put up more of a fight.

Soren returned with a water bottle and an apple. He gave Jay the food and water. The ninja immediately began to indulge himself.

"Can I ask you a few questions, Jay?" Rhys said.

"I have to warn you, I don't know much," Jay said with his mouth full, "Like about anything. Except for video games. Is it about video games?"

"Er... no. It's about your Elemental Powers," Rhys said, "Why is Lightning the key to dragon transformation. It seems random."

"That's because it's not the key," Jay said.

"But we both know that you caused the success of the trial. We've tried so many Elemental Powers in the past and none have worked. We've moved on to other means of trying to complete a transformation. That trial you interrupted was to see if intelligence was a factor. That child is a certified genius."

"Yeah, I noticed that," Jay said, "Maybe intelligence was the key."

"I doubt that," Rhys said, "What makes Lightning so special?"

"Propensity to talk a lot?" Jay offered.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Doctor Kirk said, "Jay, do you realize your electrical output is extremely low."

"That's because I'm not outputting any lightning," Jay said.

"This doesn't measure what is being outputted currently. But what is possible to be outputted. When you freed the boy, your output was three hundred percent higher than your potential now. And I doubt you used all your power to overload our fusebox."

"Meaning?" Rhys said.

"He's in no condition to provide us Elemental Power," Doctor Kirk said, "He has to rest, regain his

strength. No trial today."

"But I have another child ready for trial now," Rhys said.

"Do you exclusively experiment on children?" Jay said.

"I'd rather try to contain a baby dragon than an adult," Soren said, "It's practical."

"Practical. Or evil." Jay said.

"We are not evil," Rhys said.

"I'm not convinced. I've never met a person with vengestone that wasn't evil," Jay said.

"Chief Moses," Doctor Kirk said, "While Jay rests, it would be wise to turn our full attention to my Lightning Rod plan."

"You said the ninja don't stand a chance of interference," Rhys said.

"But it would be unwise to underestimate them again," Doctor Kirk said, "I've ceased control of the nindroid but there are four others."

"What did you do to Zane?" The Master of Lightning was suddenly on his feet. He lunged at Doctor Kirk. Soren stepped in the way. He held Jay back from his rage.

"Ah, so this one can put up a fight after all," Rhys said. He agreed to Doctor Kirk's plan. It was time to set up a trap for the ninja.