- Kira minifigure sheet made by me! -

Later that morning, everyone emerges from their rooms and makes their way to the Chow House for breakfast. Kira and Lloyd stumble out of the latter's room, only to be greeted by the rest of their team.

"Sooooo," Kai smirks, wiggling his brows while Jay tries not to laugh. "Wanna explain, lover boy?"

Garmadon's questioning stare snaps to the two teens, making their faces turn obnoxiously red. "I-it's not like that!" Lloyd says quickly. "We just fell asleep together, that's all!"

Garmadon still looks comically suspicious, but he says nothing more as he heads to the Chow House. The Ninja follow him, Lloyd elbowing Kai in the ribs as he goes. "Dude, seriously? Right in front of my dad?"

"What? Not like he's never gotten close with a girl before. How do you think you got here?"

"Kai!"

The fire ninja cackles with laughter, and Jay snorts, much to their little brother's chagrin. Kira giggles, but it dies as she walks past the roster, casting a nervous glance at it. There are two matches scheduled for today, neither of which are her and Lloyd's. Theirs isn't until tomorrow, so perhaps with luck, they'll be able to find a way around it. Her mind wanders to her conversation with him last night.

"Ninja never quit," he'd told her. "And that means we're not gonna stop 'till we make things right."

A faint smile flickers on her face. I hope we will.

"Good morning, Master of Crystal."

She jumps and snaps from her thoughts as Clouse appears, watching her intently. "I hope you had a good night's rest."

The memory of drifting off with her boyfriend warms Kira's heart a bit, but it fades under the sorcerer's gaze. She grits her teeth. "Good morning, Master Clouse," she manages with a polite nod. "I slept fine, thank you."

"I hope you are prepared for the next few events," he presses, eyes gleaming. "I think you will find them quite...interesting." His words send a prickle of unease down Kira's spine. She nods once again before scurrying off to join the others.

What a creep, she thinks as they walk to the Chow House.

"Well, personally, I think pineapple on pizza is a delicacy," Jay says as he and Razhai socialize.

"Um, you're insane." Razhai wrinkles her nose. "If you think pineapple on pizza is good, please seek help immediately."

"Have you ever even tried it?"

"Don't have to. I know it'll be gross."

The two keep up their playful debate. Apollo lurks nearby, pretending not to listen, but still finds himself rather entertained by their exchanges. Across the room, Samuel feeds Noodle some of their rice, laughing as he licks it up eagerly. Lemon and Melody chat with each other as always, while Rain walks around with her tray, searching for a place to sit. She turns, noticing Katlain sitting by herself, and moves toward her.

"Hey," she says, flicking her tail. "Mind if I sit here?"

Katlain shrugs. "Sure."

The wolf-eagle sits down across from her. "We haven't gotten to talk much since we got here," she says, taking a sip of water. "You're fighting today, right? How are you feeling?"

"Like I want to win." Katlain flicks her dark hair over her shoulder. "I'm used to people underestimating me where I'm from. If I win, I prove them all wrong."

"Well, good luck. I hope you do well."

Katlain smiles. "Thanks, wolfie."

"Good morning, fighters!"

Chen greets everyone via intercom, once again scaring the living daylights out of them. "The following Masters have fights today: Wind, Music, Void, and Illusion. Wind and Music, you're up first!"

Melody and Apollo square their shoulders, both ready for battle, and Katlain's eyes harden as she stands. Samuel flips their hands nervously, swallowing hard. Everyone files out of the room, heading for the first arena.

"Guess we'd better get going," Lloyd says as he gets to his feet.

"Before we do," Kai says with a look at him and Kira, "I think I know someone who can help us figure out your match."

———————————

The Ninja intercept Lemon as she makes her way to the arena.

"We need your help, Lemon," Lloyd tells her.

"You think I can get close to Chen to read his mind, so you can find your robotic friend and stop Lloyd and Kira from fighting tomorrow," she says without missing a beat.

"Don't forget—"

"You still need to know what Chen's up to because he's hiding something."

"That's really impressive, Lemon," says Jay. "Ooh! What else can you tell us?"

Lemon cocks her head and focuses. "Well, you're hungry, even though you just ate. Lloyd is stressed out...Kira, too. Kai is trying to see if closing his mind off will block my powers. It won't."

The fire ninja shrugs. "Worth a shot."

"Anyway," the master of mind continues, brows furrowed, "you want me to spy on Chen? That's risky. And no offense, but...well, you guys are competition. The sooner you're out, the better for me."

"You can see into our minds," Kira interjects. She gives her a pleading look, brown eyes meeting pink. "You know this Tournament isn't what Chen says it is. Please...try to help us."

The blonde hesitates, but the desperate stares of the Ninja are enough to make her crack. "I'll see what I can do," she concedes. "But I want to watch Melody fight first. She's my friend...gotta support her, y'know?"

"Of course." Kira smiles gratefully. "Thank you so much, Lemon."

"I just hope you guys are right. Now come on, or we'll be late for Mel's match!"

She takes off for the arena, and the Ninja follow, suppressing their anxiety for the time being.

———————————

The first match of the day takes place inside a dojo. Six blue vases are strewn across the room, one of which contains the Jadeblade. The two fighters prepare in the arena while everyone else is seated above them. Melody hums to warm up her vocal chords, plucking at the strings of her violin. Samuel takes deep breaths in and out, forcing themself to stop shaking. Noodle's tucked away in their hood, safe from whatever is about to unfold.

Just stay calm, their mind murmurs. Just stay calm...

"Samuel Quentin, Master of Wind, versus Melody Kelly, Master of Music!"

"FIGHT!"

Unlike the last matches, the two fighters don't immediately launch into battle. Rather, they size the other up, slowly circling each other around the dojo floor. Samuel's gray eyes meet Melody's brown, both hard with determination.

Melody acts first. She grabs the bow of her violin and swipes it across the strings, creating a massive soundwave that reverberates through the entire room. It shatters the nearest vase, causing everyone in the audience to flinch.

It's empty.

She huffs and starts toward the next vase, but Samuel hits her with a gust of wind that sends her flying across the room. She slams into one of the pillars with a painful thud, cracking the wood in the process. She groans and slumps to the floor as Samuel darts past her. Wind explodes from the blonde's palms, lifting the vase and smashing it into the ground. It splinters into pieces, revealing no Jadeblade.

Melody grits her teeth and struggles to her knees. Her body aches, but she forces herself to dodge as Samuel sends another blast of wind at her. Spotting another vase to her right, she sweeps her leg and knocks it over. It breaks with a loud CRACK, and she uses her powers to amplify the sound. Samuel cries out and staggers, clamping their hands over their ears at the ear-splitting noise, as does everyone in the audience. Melody uses the distraction to scramble to her feet, half-limping to the next vase and breaking it. Like the last two, it's empty.

The two fighters move in a complicated dance, weaving around the vases while avoiding each other's attacks. Sound waves and wind blasts shoot back and forth, and the floor becomes littered with fragments as vase after vase is destroyed.

Before long, there's only one left.

Samuel literally flies toward it, wind shooting from their palms. Melody doesn't move. Instead, she grips her violin and starts to play. A beautiful, almost enchanting tune drifts through the air, making her opponent freeze in their tracks. The master of music grins. She strides forward, stepping over pieces of vase as she continues to play. Apollo watches intently from the stands, the slightest hint of interest glinting in his violet eyes. She does play quite beautifully.

"Bring me the Jadeblade," Melody sings, the words rolling smoothly off her tongue.

Samuel breaks the vase easily and retrieves the blade. Then, as if under a trance, they walk toward her with the prize in their hand.

"Her music is actually enchanted?" Jay whispers. "Too. Freaking. Cool!"

Samuel hands the blade to Melody, who takes it and raises it above her head.

"Winner!"

Lemon beams and applauds her friend, and the rest of the audience joins. Samuel blinks as they're snapped from the musical trance, eyes widening when they spot the Jadeblade in their opponent's hand.

"Loser!"

The trapdoor opens and Samuel disappears, holding Noodle tight as they both fall into darkness. Melody's heart drops to her stomach, fingers tightening around the blade.

Everyone files out of the dojo soon after. Katlain and Apollo head off to prepare for their fight, the latter with Melody's song still stuck in his head. Meanwhile, Lemon's attention shifts to Chen and Clouse as the two leave the room. With a crafty grin, she sneaks after them, smooth and quiet as a snake.

———————————

The master of mind's mission leads her to the Kabuki's changing room. She's quick to spot Chen nearby, doing his best to hold still as the Kabuki tighten his robes. Her eyes gleam and she creeps forward. Just before she can get close enough to read the old master's mind, a dark-robed figure appears in front of her, forcing her backward.

"This floor is restricted," Clouse says sharply.

"Oh, hi Clouse!" Lemon chirps, instantly putting on a fake smile. "Super duper sorry to bother you. I was just leaving!"

"I saw you speaking with the Ninja," the sorcerer warns. He leans in close, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "It'd be a shame if the other fighters were to find out you were...helping them."

"O-of course not. I'm the Master of the Mind!" Ever-subtly, she dives into Clouse's mind. The old man's head is clouded, riddled with thoughts of evildoing and a surpising amount of insecurity, but she can just make out one image: Page 149, in some sort of book...a spell book.

She winks at him as she snaps back into the present. "I'm smarter than that."

With that, she takes her leave, feeling the sorcerer's glare on her back long after she's gone.

———————————

The final match of the day starts in the evening. The arena this time around is outdoors in a small field, the Jadeblade placed on a pedestal off to the side.

Apollo cracks his knuckles and bounces on his feet, filled with energy and itching for a fight. Katlain ties her hair back, trying and failing to clear her mind. Her head echoes with the words she'd been peppered with all her young life, the reason she came to this Tournament in the first place: "weak", "pushover", "never good enough". She huffs and shakes her bangs from her eyes. Recalling these taunts now won't do her any good.

Besides, she's here to prove them all wrong.

"Apollo Keith, Master of Void, versus Katlain Tsang, Master of Illusion!"

"FIGHT!"

Apollo shouts and launches himself at his opponent. Katlain backflips out of the way, landing gracefully on her feet, and rushes him in return. Apollo grunts and swings at her, but she ducks beneath his fist and punches him in the gut, sending him stumbling back.

"You're good," she admits. "But I've been observing the way you fight. You're too impatient, too aggressive. It'll wear you down faster than you think."

"Oh?" Apollo scoffs. "How's this for impatient?" He disappears through a portal, reappearing behind her. Katlain spins around, but not fast enough to avoid a harsh kick to the ribs. She gasps and hits the ground hard, rolling out of the way as Apollo shoots a beam of energy at her.

"Face it, babe," her opponent says as she staggers to her feet. "I might be impatient and aggressive, but I'm still better than you."

Katlain glares at him, anger starting to bubble in her chest. She summons her powers, and a clone of her appears at her side. Then another. And another. In seconds flat, Apollo finds himself surrounded by eight different Katlains, all giggling at him.

"I'm sorry," they echo in unison with mischievious grins. "Which one of us were you talking to?"

In the stands, Kai blinks and shakes his head. "Okay, this is trippy."

"Coward!" Apollo spits, violet eyes blazing. "Quit hiding behind your illusions and face me!" He growls and shoots a blast of energy toward the nearest Katlain. She disappears in a poof of smoke, nothing more than an apparition.

"What's the matter?" he taunts, firing more energy at another clone. "Too weak to fight me?"

The real Katlain bristles. "I-I'm not weak!"

"You must be. Otherwise you'd be taking me on yourself."

Two more clones go up in smoke, leaving four Katlains left. The master of illusion huffs, her entire body seething with rage. She's usually one to hold in her anger, but Apollo has struck a very sensitive nerve, and she won't let that stand. She's heard enough insults to last her a lifetime.

"Seems I was right," Apollo says. "Guess I am better than y—"

Katlain screams in fury, her illusions shattering as she leaps at Apollo with her fists raised. He gasps, caught off guard, but recovers quickly. The master of void teleports away just as Katlain reaches him, causing her to pounce on air. He reappears next to the Jadeblade, grinning as he seizes it and lifts it into the air.

"Winner and loser!"

Katlain screams as she falls through the trapdoor. The audience erupts into cheers and applause, and Apollo smirks, watching the metal of the blade glint in the evening light.

Looks like impatience and aggression paid off.

———————————

Lemon rushes to find the Ninja as night falls.

"Any word?" Kai asks as she races up to them.

Lemon shakes her head sadly. "I'm sorry. I couldn't get past Clouse." Everyone's faces fall instantly. "But I did see something," she adds quickly. "For a brief moment, I saw inside Clouse's mind. The powers he and Chen are collecting...they're for a spell."

"A spell for what?" demands the fire ninja.

"I don't know. But it's in his spell book, on page 149. I'm sorry it's not enough to stop the fight...I wish I could've done more."

"You did all you could," Garmadon assures her. "Thank you for your help, Lemon."

The master of mind nods. "Good luck tomorrow." With that, she turns and heads back to her room.

Lloyd looks desperately to his team. "Come on! Kira and I can't face each other! There's gotta be something else we can try!"

"If there was something else that could be done, it would've been done already," Garmadon states. "My only advice is to be at peace with it."

"At peace?" Lloyd snaps. "One of us has to lose! You might be at peace with that, but I'm not!"

"For what it's worth," Garmadon tells him with regret in his eyes, "I am sorry. I wish it hadn't had to come to this."

"'Sorry' doesn't change anything—"

"Everyone, calm down." Kira butts in, placing herself between the father and son. "We're not out of hope yet. Our match still isn't until sometime tomorrow, and with this new information we have, it's not too late to form a new plan."

"Good thinking." Kai nods. "Let's all just get some shuteye. We'll regroup and figure something out in the morning."

Everyone seems content with that plan. They head off to their rooms, where they try to get at least a bit of rest.

———————————

Fanfare blares over the speakers in the middle of the night, jolting everyone from their sleep.

Apollo grumbles and slams his pillow over his head. Lemon presses herself deeper into her mattress, hoping she can just melt into them. Kira, who hadn't been able to sleep in the first place, jumps as her focus on the moon is broken.

"All fighters please meet in the throne room," Clouse's voice instructs over intercom.

The Elementals drag themselves out of bed and through the guest hall, gathering in the room as instructed. Everyone's faces are heavy with exhaustion, eyes bleary with sleep as Clouse appears at the head of the room.

"Master Chen wants everyone outside in the Royal Gardens," he says. "I wouldn't be late if I were you. And be prepared to get active."

"This late?" Lemon yawns and rubs at her eyes. "What's going on?"

"Today's match, of course."

Razhai's brows furrow. "If most of us have already fought, why are we all participating?"

"Only two of you will be fighting, but the rest of you will have a chance to...affect the outcome."

"Wait." Kai narrows his eyes. "Who's fighting?"

Clouse grins, looking entirely too pleased.

"The Green Ninja versus the Master of Crystal."