u/CoupleZestyclose1455

Awakenings The massive doors slam open. Snow and frost swirl into the chamber as Dreamy steps forward, energy glowing in his hands. Dreamy: It's time we finished this, Handy. Once and for all. The Ice Emperor rises slowly from his throne, eyes blazing cold blue. Ice Emperor: My name... is not Handy! Dreamy: Yes, it is! He throws back his hood, revealing his face fully. Dreamy: And you're going to remember it—if I have to knock it into your thick Smurf skull! From the side, Akita stares in shock. Akita: You... know the Emperor? Dreamy (without looking at her): He's not an emperor. He's my friend. He's the one I came to rescue. It's hard to explain—but I can't let you hurt him, Akita. Akita's anger surges. With a growl, she rips her frozen hand free from the corrupted ice, shards scattering across the floor. Akita: My will is not yours to command! She moves toward the Ice Emperor. Dreamy grabs her arms. Dreamy: Akita, no! This isn't the way! You're letting your anger control you! Akita (fierce): Stand aside, Dreamy... or fall with him! Dreamy: I won't let you hurt Handy! He's my- Before he can finish- The Ice Emperor slams his staff into the ground. A shockwave of ice explodes outward, knocking both of them apart. Ice Emperor (thundering): There is no Handy! He sweeps his staff toward Akita, unleashing a freezing blast. Dreamy: No! Dreamy spins into Spinjitzu, forming a swirling shield of energy that deflects the ice blast just before it strikes her. The clash of ice and energy fills the throne room with blinding light and flying frost. When the glow fades, Dreamy lands protectively in front of Akita, breathing hard. Across the chamber, the Ice Emperor steps down from his throne, power radiating from him. Steel clashes against ice as Kataru and Grimfax battle desperately against Vex and the Blizzard Samurai. Kataru, in his massive bear form, swipes two warriors aside. Grimfax spins his ice axe in a defensive arc, forcing the Samurai back. Grimfax: This way! They sprint down one corridor— Only to skid to a halt. More Blizzard Warriors block the path. Kataru: Other way! They turn- Another squad closes in, spears lowered. Within seconds, they are completely surrounded. Vex steps forward slowly, hands folded behind his back, a cold smile spreading across his face. Vex: Well... well... well. Kataru and Grimfax exchange a look. No words. Just a nod. They charge. Kataru roars, sweeping three warriors off their feet. Grimfax ducks beneath a spear and slams his axe into the ice floor, sending a shockwave that knocks several Samurai backward. For a moment-they hold their ground. But the numbers are too great. Chains forged of corrupted ice snap around Kataru's limbs, tightening as he struggles. Kataru (roaring) : Rrraaagh! More warriors pile onto Grimfax, forcing him to one knee. His axe skids across the floor. He fights, but is overwhelmed. Vex approaches, dusting frost from his sleeve. Vex: Lock this traitor in the dungeon. He gestures to Kataru. Vex: And throw the animal in with him. Kataru growls fiercely, but the chains bind tighter. Vex turns toward the distant throne room, where the sounds of battle echo faintly. Vex: The rest of you-follow me. The Samurai march after him. Kataru and Grimfax are dragged away in chains as the fate of the throne room hangs in the balance. The ninja and Krag leap from the battered Land Bounty, landing hard in the snow. Behind them, Boreal lies buried beneath the vehicle. Hefty (grimacing at the wreck): I really hope Lily wasn't expecting us to bring the Bounty back in one piece. Smurfette steps cautiously toward the dragon's frozen scales. She touches them. Her eyes widen. Smurfette: It's ice... pure ice. Not flesh. Not bone. It's an elemental creation. Clumsy: Wait-what? Hefty: You sure about that? Brainy (thinking fast): Then the Emperor must be an Elemental Master of Ice. Just like Handy. He blinks. Brainy: What are the odds? Smurfette stiffens. A terrible realization dawns on her. Smurfette: Oh no... how could I not see it? Brainy: See what? She turns to them, shaken. Smurfette: What if the Emperor isn't like Handy? Beat. Smurfette: What if he is Handy? The group gasps. Hefty: What?! Clumsy: Handy would never hurt anyone. Smurfette: Not normally... no. But he was holding the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu when Aspheera blasted him into the Never-Realm. Hefty: Papa Smurf said the scroll would corrupt anyone who used it. Brainy: But what about the time difference? How does that make sense? Smurfette: I don't know... but it's the only explanation that fits. Somehow... Handy became the Ice Emperor. Clumsy's eyes widen. Clumsy: We've gotta warn Dreamy before he- Suddenly- The Land Bounty shifts. Ice cracks. Boreal's glowing eyes snap open. With a roar, the dragon heaves the wreckage off himself and rises. Clumsy: RUN! They scatter just as Boreal unleashes a blast of freezing ice. His massive tail whips through the air- Striking Clumsy and sending him flying. Clumsy: Ahhh-! Ungh! He crashes into the snow. Smurfette: Clumsy! She rushes toward him as Boreal crawls after her. Brainy: Smurfette, look out! He fires a bolt of lightning. It strikes Boreal— But does nothing. Hefty: Krag! He slams his fist into the ground with an Earth Punch. Krag joins in, punching the wrecked Land Bounty toward the dragon. Boreal leaps skyward, blasting ice that shatters the debris midair. The ninja dive clear. Smurfette kneels beside Clumsy. Smurfette: Clumsy... say something! Behind her, Boreal lands heavily. She looks up- And sees jagged ice stalactites hanging from a nearby overhang. A memory echoes in her mind. Sorla's Voice (echoing) : You must only remember who you are. Smurfette rises slowly. Smurfette (steadying herself: 1 am Smurfette. Master of Water. Boreal roars. Smurfette (stronger): I am Smurfette. Master of Water! Ice begins to tremble above. Smurfette (shouting): And you will obey! The stalactites crack free and plunge downward- Impaling the snow around Boreal and encasing him in thick ice. Silence. Hefty (amazed): Smurfette... you did it! Brainy: Ha! I knew you could! The ice suddenly shifts. Cracks spread. Clumsy groans awake just as Boreal bursts free in an explosion of shards. Smurfette (frustrated): I'm sorry... I tried. Clumsy slowly pushes himself up. His eyes narrow. Clumsy (quietly): No... Boreal charges again. Brainy fires lightning— Blocked. Clumsy (anger rising): No... His fists ignite. Fire swirls around him, growing brighter and hotter. His eyes glow red. Clumsy (roaring): NO MORE!!! Boreal unleashes an ice blast— Clumsy answers with a wall of roaring flame. Fire and ice collide. Steam explodes outward in a blinding cloud. When it clears- Boreal dissolves into rushing water... then vanishes completely. Clumsy stands there, panting. The flames fade. He collapses backward. Smurfette and Brainy catch him. Smurfette (in awe): Clumsy... your powers. They're back! Brainy (grinning) : Better late than never! Storm is going to lose her mind when she hears about this! Hefty helps Clumsy to his feet. Hefty: Come on! We've got to get to Handy-and Dreamy! The castle looms ahead. Without another word, they sprint toward it. Dreamy flips backward as Handy—still the Ice Emperor —unleashes another freezing blast. Dreamy plants his feet and raises his hands. Golden energy flares, forming a shield. Ice crashes against it, spreading frost across the floor. With a shout, Dreamy redirects the blast away. Akita watches, stunned, as Dreamy dodges another wave of ice. Dreamy sprints behind a pillar. Handy pursues him, firing sharp shards of ice that explode against the walls. Dreamy ducks low, then runs up the side of a pillar, flipping over Handy's next blast. He hurls the frozen energy back, followed by rapid strikes of glowing power. Dreamy: Wake up, Handy! Handy swings his staff, knocking Dreamy out of the air. Dreamy slams into the ground. Before he can recover, Handy grabs him by the ankles and whips him in a brutal arc across the chamber. He crashes hard. Handy raises his staff and fires— Ice engulfs Dreamy's body, freezing him solid-everything except his face. Ice Emperor (coldly): Yarh! He laughs darkly. Akita: Dreamy! She throws her dagger. Handy ducks; the blade skids across the floor. He turns and blasts Akita. Ice spreads over her instantly. Akita: AHH- Silence. Dreamy struggles to breathe, trapped in ice. Dreamy (weakly): No... Akita... Handy... please... Ice Emperor: I told you. There is no Handy. From the doorway, Vex steps forward. Vex: Do it, Master. Finish him. Handy raises his staff— Dreamy whispers: Dreamy: Handy... Handy hesitates. His grip falters. He shakes his head slightly. Vex (impatient): Pathetic. I'll do it myself. He grabs a fallen spear and strides toward the frozen Dreamy. Vex (mocking): Some savior you turned out to be. You couldn't defeat the Emperor. You couldn't protect your friends— Handy's eyes flicker. Ice Emperor (quietly): ...Protect? Vex: You couldn't even protect yourself. The words echo. Protect those who cannot protect themselves. Memories flood back- Laughter. Friends. A photo under a tree. Lily smiling beside him. Handy gasps. Vex raises the spear to strike- Handy moves instantly, knocking the spear aside. Handy (shouting): Vex! He rips off his mask. His true voice returns. Handy: Don't! He blasts Vex backward. Handy looks at the scepter in his hand-the source of the corruption. With a cry, he leaps high into the air. Handy: Hoi-yah! He smashes the scepter against the floor. It shatters. A wave of energy ripples outward. Across the Never-Realm, ice fractures and falls away. The Ice Fishers and the Formlings are freed. The Castle's jagged frost melts, stone returning to normal. The ice binding Akita cracks and shatters. She collapses to the floor. Dreamy's ice prison breaks apart. Handy throws off his helmet and rushes forward. Handy: Dreamy! Dreamy smiles weakly. Dreamy: I knew you'd remember. I knew it. Handy pulls him to his feet. Handy (softly): Thank you, Dreamy. He looks around. Handy: Where are the others? A furious growl interrupts them. Vex charges again, spear raised. Vex: Raaagh! Handy turns and freezes Vex solid mid-charge. The doors burst open. Kataru, the ninja, Krag, and Grimfax rush in. Akita (seeing him): Kataru! He scoops her into a hug. Kataru: Akita! Smurfette runs forward. Smurfette: Handy! Clumsy beams. Clumsy: Dreamy! The ninja surround Handy and Dreamy in a relieved group hug. Krag stands nearby, smiling proudly. For the first time since winter fell— The cold is gone. And Handy is finally home. Akita (narrating): So ended the reign of the Ice Emperor. Snow melts beneath a brightening sky. Akita and Kataru race across the fields in their animal forms, playfully chasing one another at last-free. Akita (narrating): I was reunited with my brother, Kataru. They laugh as they tumble into the snow. In the restored village, the true king stands once more before his people. Warriors (cheering) : Yeah! Akita (narrating): And the King was restored to his throne. His people... and mine... were released from their curse. Ice cracks and shatters across the land. Formlings and Ice Fishers embrace, celebrating their freedom. Nearby, Grimfax and the warriors escort Vex to the edge of the realm. Akita (narrating): Vex the Formless was banished from our lands. Vex turns back once, furious and defeated-then disappears into the frozen horizon. The Great Lake glistens peacefully under clear skies. Akita (narrating): And peace returned to the Never-Realm. Inside Sorla's home, warm firelight flickers. The ninja and Krag stand as Sorla gently inspects the glowing flowers of the Traveler's Tree. Akita (narrating): After many days, the time at last came when the ninja hoped to return to their own realm. Sorla lowers her hands slowly, her expression solemn. Sorla: I have consulted the spirits of the Hearth Fire. I have learned of this Ninjago. It lies very far from here. The leaves of the Traveler's Tree do not have the strength to carry you home. The room falls quiet. Hefty: But-I can get more! He nudges Krag. Hefty: Right, Krag? We can climb back up the mountain and grab a whole bunch- Krag nods enthusiastically. Sorla shakes her head gently. Sorla: It is no use. No amount of leaves will suffice. We would need something far more potent. Hefty freezes. Slowly... he pats his pockets. The others watch as he searches himself frantically. Then — His eyes widen. Hefty: Sorla... what about this? He opens his hand. Resting in his palm- The enchanted berry. Sorla's eyes light up. A warm smile spreads across her face. Ninja (cheering): Yes! Haha! Smurfette beams at Hefty. Smurfette: I'm so proud of you, Hefty. She leans in and kisses him on the cheek. Hefty freezes completely. Then his face turns bright red. Krag grins and lets out a happy rumble. The others laugh warmly as hope fills the room once more. Akita (narrating): And so, even as our paths prepared to part... we knew our friends would always carry a piece of the Never-Realm with them. The Traveler's Tree glows brighter- And the journey home begins. Inside the quiet courtyard, Papa Smurf stands alone, holding a framed picture of the ninja with Lily, Storm, and Blossom in front of the monastery. He sighs softly. Footsteps rush across the stone. Lily (offscreen): Papa Smurf, come quickly! Blossom: Come on! Something's happening! Storm: Yeah, hurry! Papa Smurf carefully sets the picture down and hurries after them. Papa Smurf: What is it? They reach the courtyard just as a glowing, pink berry-shaped portal spirals open in midair. Silhouettes begin to form inside it. Papa Smurf gasps. Papa Smurf: It's them... they're back! One by one, the ninja step through. Papa Smurf rushes forward, embracing them tightly. Papa Smurf: Smurfette! Clumsy! Handy! Brainy! Handy (smiling warmly): Papa Smurf... it's good to see you. Papa Smurf wipes tears from his eyes. Papa Smurf: You too, Handy. You too. Lily runs forward and leaps onto Handy. Lily: Handy! He laughs and steadies himself. Handy: Whoa there! Storm dashes toward Clumsy and jumps into his arms. Storm: Clumsy! Clumsy (grinning): Storm! I'm so happy to see you. He gently kisses her on the cheek. Blossom runs up to Brainy. Blossom: I knew you'd come back! She hugs him tightly. Brainy (smiling proudly): Of course I did. I miss you too. He respectfully kisses her hand, and she laughs. Papa Smurf looks at all of them with pride. Papa Smurf: Welcome home... all of you. Lily looks around. Lily: Where are Hefty and Dreamy? Handy turns toward the still-glowing portal. Hefty stands before Krag. Hefty: Well... so long, buddy. Krag whimpers and opens his arms wide. Hefty sighs with a grin. Hefty: Alright, bring it in. Krag scoops him up in a massive hug, squeezing tightly. Hefty (gasping): Okay! Okay! Easy! Krag gently sets him down. Hefty gives one last wave to Sorla and Krag before stepping toward the portal. Hefty: Take care, you big snowball. He walks through the portal. Dreamy scratches the back of his head awkwardly. Dreamy: Well... I guess this is- Before he can finish, Akita steps forward and kisses him softly on the cheek. Dreamy freezes, blinking in surprise. Akita smiles gently. Sorla steps closer. Sorla: Dreamy, you must hurry. The portal is closing. Dreamy turns. The glowing opening is shrinking rapidly. On the other side, his friends wait anxiously. He looks back at Akita. Dreamy (softly): Take care of yourself. Akita: You too. With one final look, Dreamy runs and leaps through the portal- Just as it snaps shut. Silence returns to the snowy clearing. Akita stares at the empty space for a moment. Kataru walks up beside her. Kataru (gently): Come, little sister. I know what will cheer you up. They share a small smile. Then both transform into their animal forms and race across the snow together, disappearing into the bright horizon of the restored Never-Realm. The portal fades completely. Dreamy stumbles forward into the courtyard— And is immediately surrounded by his friends. Laughter fills the air. At long last, they are all home. Akita (narrating): As for Dreamy... my brother believes I will never see him again. She climbs to the edge of a high cliff overlooking the bright, endless horizon of the Never-Realm. The wind lifts her hair as golden sunlight breaks across the snow. Akita (narrating, softer): But I think he is wrong. She closes her eyes, then tilts her head toward the sky and lets out a strong, echoing howl that carries across the mountains. The sound fades into the distance. Akita (narrating): After all... "never" is a very long time. The sun rises higher. And hope remains.

Once and For All The wind howls across the frozen wasteland. Akita trudges forward, shivering-but her eyes burn with determination. In the distance, the towering Castle of Ice rises from the blizzard. She gasps softly. With a flash of energy, she transforms into her wolf form and sprints toward the gates. Two Blizzard Warriors stand guard. Akita slows, lowering her head, approaching as if she's nothing more than a wandering snow wolf. The guards barely react- Suddenly- She leaps forward, transforming mid-motion back into her human form. Grabbing both warriors by their arms, she spins in a powerful whirl, flinging them into the snow. Before they can recover, she throws open the castle doors and rushes inside. On the opposite side of the castle, The Resistance moves cautiously through the frozen corridors. Dreamy (whispering): Which way to the throne room? Grimfax: Left. But we can't go there yet. There's something else we must deal with first. A faint clatter echoes down the hall. Grimfax (hushed): Hide! Four Blizzard Warriors march into view. Dreamy, Kataru, and Grimfax leap silently onto an icy ledge above the corridor. A small chunk of snow slips loose-falling to the floor. The warriors stop. They scan the hallway. Silence. After a tense moment, they continue on. The Resistance drops down behind them without a sound. Akita hears approaching footsteps and quickly presses herself into the shadows behind a frozen pillar. The Blizzard Warriors pass by. Grimfax (low voice): Vex possesses a corrupted shard of ice. It sees all. As long as he holds it, we have no chance of victory. We must destroy it first. Dreamy: How do we know he isn't watching us right now? Grimfax: If he were... we would already be captured. Kataru: Then we should move quickly. Dreamy: Which way? Grimfax gestures down a dim corridor. They hurry off. Moments later, Akita steps out from her hiding place and moves in the opposite direction-unaware she was only seconds from crossing paths with them. The storm rages outside. Inside the castle, destinies move closer to colliding. The Land Bounty barrels through the frozen wasteland toward the Ice Emperor's Castle. Inside, Brainy is glued to a retro game console. Brainy: This is a Milton Dyer classic, Krag, so pay attention! We're talking Golden Age gaming here. It's called Lava Zombies. You need serious skills to beat it-which, fortunately for you, 1 possess. Watch and learn. Krag pounds his chest impatiently and suddenly shoves Brainy aside. Brainy: No, no-you have to wait until | lose! It's my turn! He tries to push Krag back, but Krag grabs the controller. Brainy: Krag! You gotta wait! Hefty (without looking up): I don't think he understands, Brainy. Brainy: Well, tell him it's my turn! Hefty: I don't speak "Krag." And may I point out—you're trying to reason with an eight-foot-tall creature who could pancake you with one foot? Brainy slowly turns toward Krag. Krag growls low. Brainy (nervous smile): ...Good point. Your turn, Krag. Krag cheers triumphantly-then casually tosses Brainy over his shoulder as he reclaims the seat. Brainy (upside down): Whoa! Krag mashes the buttons enthusiastically. Hefty smirks and leans back to relax. Clumsy squints ahead through the icy windshield. Clumsy: Uh... guys? What's that? Smurfette (stepping forward): Something up ahead. Some kind of structure... Through the swirling snow, towering spires of ice emerge. Smurfette (quietly): That's it. The Ice Emperor's Castle. Clumsy: Yeah... that definitely looks like a spooky castle where an evil Ice Emperor would live. Smurfette: Better tell the others. Clumsy (calling out): Guys! Buckle up-we're almost there! Brainy scrambles off the floor. Hefty walks toward Krag, who is still furiously playing. Hefty: Krag, you gotta stop playing. We need to get to our seats. Smurfette (calling back): Hefty, can you get him to stop? Hefty: That's what I'm doing! Krag glances around-then keeps playing. Hefty steps directly in front of the screen. Hefty: Krag. Krag growls without looking away. Hefty: Don't you growl at me. That is unacceptable. You want me to revoke your video game privileges? Krag freezes. He slowly lowers the controller. Krag (soft whimper, shaking head): Mmm-mm. Hefty (pointing to a seat): Then park it. Krag grumbles but stomps to his seat and straps in. The Land Bounty speeds toward the looming castle as the storm intensifies outside. Inside, the team braces for what's coming next. The Land Bounty races across the snow toward the Ice Emperor's Castle. High above, on a jagged mountain ledge, Boreal sleeps —wings folded, frost curling from his breath. The vibrations of the Bounty rumble through the ice. One glowing eye snaps open. A warning sensor begins to beep. Smurfette (checking the radar): We've got something on the scanner. Big. Moving fast. Clumsy: What is it? Smurfette: Definitely not a welcoming committee. A massive shadow sweeps over the windshield. Clumsy: I'm on it! He throws on his hood and scrambles up to the cannon seat. He spins the turret- Then freezes. Clumsy: Incoming! He fires. The blast strikes Boreal in the chest. The dragon roars-then dives straight at them, unleashing a torrent of ice. Smurfette (gasping): Hold on! She swerves hard. Ice explodes across the snow where they were seconds ago. Boreal whips around, overtaking them and blasting one side of the Bounty. Ice crawls along the hull. Smurfette: Clumsy, do something! Clumsy (firing rapidly): I'm trying! Some shots hit. Most miss. Clumsy: It's not even slowing him down! Boreal swoops ahead of the Bounty and charges straight for the turret. Clumsy: Ahhh! He leaps away just as Boreal's claws rip the cannon clean off the vehicle. The control panel flashes red. Smurfette: What was that?! Did you get him?! Clumsy watches in horror as Boreal flies upward with the cannon. Clumsy: Uh... not exactly. Boreal drops it. The cannon smashes into frozen shards below. Clumsy dives back inside as Boreal swoops down again. With a violent swipe, the dragon tears part of the roof away. Ninja: Ahhh! Brainy: Dragon! Dragon! Dragon! Krag crouches in the back, covering his head and whimpering. Boreal lifts the torn panel, then drops it onto the Bounty with a thunderous crash. The vehicle lurches. The dragon flies ahead and turns, charging up another massive blast of ice. Smurfette (through clenched teeth): Not today. She slams the accelerator. The Bounty veers sharply, dodging the freezing beam by inches. Inside, everyone leans wildly left and right as Smurfette swerves through the snow. Krag slides back and forth in the cargo hold. All: Ahhh! Up ahead- A towering ice ledge. Brainy (teeth chattering): Smurfette, what are you doing?! Clumsy covers his eyes. Smurfette: Hang on! She guns the engine. The Land Bounty rockets up the ledge- Launches into the air- Straight toward Boreal, who is forming another sphere of ice between his jaws. At the last second— The Bounty slams into him mid-charge. The blast fizzles out as both dragon and vehicle crash down in a rolling avalanche of snow. They tumble- Then stop. Silence. The Bounty rests on top of Boreal, who lies stunned beneath it. Inside, everyone groans. Brainy: We really should've worn seatbelts. Clumsy: Everyone okay? Brainy? Hefty? Brainy: Can this thing stay fixed for, like... one day? Hefty looks over at the driver's seat. Smurfette is frozen in place, gripping the controls tightly, shaking. Hefty (gently): Smurfette... it's okay. You can let go. She slowly looks at him. Smurfette: And the dragon? Hefty glances out the cracked windshield at the unconscious Boreal beneath them. Hefty (relieved): Got him. It's over. Smurfette exhales deeply and finally releases her grip from the controls. Outside, snow continues to fall- And the Castle of Ice looms closer than ever. The Resistance moves carefully through the frozen corridors, their footsteps barely whispering against the frost-covered floor. Dreamy: You're sure he's not watching us? Grimfax: Like I said-if Vex were watching the crystal, we wouldn't have made it this far. They round a corner- —and freeze. Standing before them are Vex and a line of Blizzard Samurai. Vex: (smirking) You were saying? The Samurai grin beneath their helmets. Kataru immediately shifts into his massive bear form with a roar. Grimfax pulls his ice axe from his back. Grimfax: Run! Dreamy: We have to stay together and- Grimfax: No! You must awaken your friend, or all is lost! We'll hold them off as long as we can! He shoves Dreamy back. Grimfax: Go! With a battle cry, Grimfax and Kataru charge into the Samurai, steel and claws clashing against ice-forged weapons. Dreamy hesitates only a second—then turns and sprints toward the throne room. Akita rushes through an upper corridor and nearly runs into four Blizzard Warriors. She ducks behind a pillar, breathing carefully. Her eyes dart-then land on a window at the far end. Without hesitation, she transforms into her wolf form and bolts. She sprints low and fast, slipping past the guards before they can react— —and crashes through the window. Glass shatters into the frozen night. She lands on the icy roof and immediately begins sliding. Mid-slide, she shifts back to human form and barely catches the roof's edge. Akita: Unh-! Ergh! Her fingers strain against the frost, but she pulls herself up onto a narrow ledge. Carefully, she creeps along the castle's exterior. Peering through a nearby window- She sees him. The Ice Emperor. Akita drops down silently onto a balcony and slips behind a pillar. She steadies her breathing, then begins climbing the staircase toward the throne, dagger drawn. Dreamy rounds a corner and runs straight into four Blizzard Warriors. They lower their spears. He pulls up his hood. With a burst of energy, he fires an energy ball that knocks one warrior backward. He spins into Spinjitzu, sweeping the others aside. More warriors rush in behind him. Dreamy lands, ready for another wave. Akita steps forward silently, raising her dagger- But suddenly- CRASH! A Blizzard Warrior is hurled through the doors, skidding across the floor. The Ice Emperor stirs on his throne. Akita gasps. Akita: Gah— She charges anyway. Akita: Aargh! The Ice Emperor rises effortlessly and blocks her strike with a wave of ice. She's thrown back, tumbling down the stairs. Akita: Unh! Ahh! He descends slowly, cold power radiating from him. Ice Emperor: Who... are you? Akita pushes herself up. Akita: My name is Akita. Ice Emperor: Akita? Another rebel thief? A traitor come to steal my scepter? She steadies herself, gripping her dagger. Akita: I came for revenge! She backs away as he approaches. Ice Emperor: Revenge? For what? She stands tall. Akita: For my brother, Kataru. And for the suffering of my people-the Formlings! Ice Emperor: I have heard of the Formlings. Vex told me they are warmongers. Cruel. Barbaric. Akita's eyes burn with anger. Akita: And you believed him. She lunges. The Ice Emperor blasts her hand with ice. Frost spreads rapidly, freezing her wrist in place. Akita: Ungh! He steps closer, raising his power to finish freezing her. She leans back as far as she can— Then- The throne room doors BURST open. Dreamy stands in the doorway. Behind him, fallen Blizzard Warriors lie scattered. Dreamy: It's time we finished this, Handy! Akita blinks in confusion. Akita: Handy? The Ice Emperor tilts his head slightly. Ice Emperor: ...Hmm. Dreamy raises his glowing energy, determination in his eyes. Dreamy: Once... and for all. The air crackles with tension. The final battle has begun.

A Fragile Hope Dreamy stares at the armored figure upon the frozen throne. His voice trembles. Dreamy: Handy? I... I don't understand. How is this possible? The Ice Emperor's eyes narrow behind his helmet. Ice Emperor: What did you call me? Dreamy: Handy! Your name is Handy! Don't you remember? He takes a step forward- Two Blizzard Warriors cross their spears, blocking him. Vex (coldly): Step back. You stand before the Ice Emperor. Dreamy refuses to move. Dreamy: I came here for you, Handy. I came to bring you home. The Ice Emperor's voice is distant. Ice Emperor: This... is my home. Dreamy: No. Ninjago is your home. The Ice Emperor tilts his head slightly. Ice Emperor: Nin... ja... go? Hope flickers across Dreamy's face. Dreamy (urgent): Yes! Think! We were together. We were fighting Aspheera-she banished you with her staff! Vex steps forward sharply. Vex: Do not listen to him, my Lord. He lies. Dreamy: It's the truth! He pushes against the spears again. Dreamy: Handy, please! Remember something—anything! Papa Smurf... Lily... or—or Clumsy? The Ice Emperor's voice remains flat. Ice Emperor: Who? Dreamy (desperate): Clumsy! Remember when I mixed his reds with your whites and all your clothes turned pink? You had to dress up as the Pink Ninja! You were so mad! A long pause. Snow drifts softly through the hall. Ice Emperor: No. Vex bows slightly. Vex: He seeks to confuse you. To weaken your resolve. Allow me to deal with him, my Lord. Dreamy's eyes fall to the glowing Scroll in the Emperor's hand. A memory flashes- The moment Handy vanished. Dreamy (realizing): You were holding the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu when you were banished. It must have corrupted you. He looks back up. Dreamy: How long have you been here, Handy? How long have you been holding that scroll? The Ice Emperor answers slowly. Ice Emperor: Many... decades. Dreamy's eyes widen. Dreamy: Decades? That's impossible-time must move differently here! He strains against the guards again. Dreamy: Handy, the Scroll is corrupting you. It's twisting your power. You have to put it down! He tries to push forward— The Blizzard Warriors shove him back. Vex (accusing) : He seeks your scepter! Dreamy: No! Don't listen to him! This isn't you! You're kind-you protect people! You're my friend. Please... trust me. Put it down! Vex turns dramatically toward the throne. Vex: You see? One moment he speaks of friendship... the next, he demands your power. He points sharply. Vex: Seize him! The Blizzard Warriors advance. Dreamy reacts instantly. Dreamy: No! He ducks beneath the spears, rolling across the icy floor. He kicks one warrior aside and flips backward, landing in a defensive stance. Grimfax rushes him from behind— Dreamy pivots and throws him down. He grabs a spear, spins another warrior away, then launches himself toward the throne. Vex stumbles aside in shock Dreamy lunges- The Ice Emperor raises his scepter. A blast of corrupted ice erupts. Dreamy is struck mid-air and hurled across the hall. He crashes hard against the frozen floor. Dreamy (weakly): Ah...! He collapses. Silence. Vex straightens his robes. Vex: Behold his treachery. He speaks of friendship-yet he attacks you and reaches for your scepter. A Blizzard Warrior nudges Dreamy cautiously. Vex (bowing): Allow me to destroy him, my Lord. The Ice Emperor studies the unconscious figure. For the briefest moment- Something flickers in his expression. Then it fades. Ice Emperor (coldly): Lock him in the dungeon. Vex looks up, surprised. Vex: But, my Lord- The Ice Emperor slams the scepter against the ground. Ice cracks outward. Ice Emperor: You heard me. Vex lowers his head. Vex: As you command. He gestures sharply. Vex: Take him to the dungeon. The Blizzard Warriors drag Dreamy away. Vex watches them go, frustration barely hidden. Across the hall, Grimfax rises slowly, deeply unsettled by what he has witnessed. On the throne, the Ice Emperor sits in silence- Snow swirling around him- As faint, distant echoes of memory whisper... just beyond his reach. Snow whips across the white horizon as Hefty, Brainy, Clumsy, Smurfette, and Krag push forward through the storm. Krag suddenly stops. He sniffs the air. A low growl rumbles from his chest. Hefty (turning): Krag? What is it? Smurfette: I think he smells something. Brainy (sniffing himself nervously): Smells like what? A deep, echoing growl answers him. They slowly turn- A pack of Frost Wolves emerges from the snowdrifts, circling. Brainy: Oh, not these guys again... Krag snarls, stepping forward. Hefty (grabbing his collar): Krag, don't! There's too many! The wolves spread out, surrounding them. Smurfette (tense): Okay... what do we do? Brainy straightens confidently. Brainy: Everyone remain calm. Do exactly what I do. He grins. Brainy: On three. One... The others brace themselves. Hefty: Two... They ready for battle. Brainy: Three! Brainy spins around— And runs. The others blink in disbelief. Clumsy: Wait-what?! The wolves snarl and charge. Smurfette: RUN! They sprint through the snow, Krag bounding beside them as the Frost Wolves give chase. Clumsy catches up to Brainy. Clumsy: That was your whole plan?! Brainy (panting): Strategic retreat! Smurfette: Where are we even going?! Hefty scans the storm— Then points ahead. Hefty: There! Look! Through the blowing snow— A familiar vehicle sits half-buried. Smurfette (hopeful): The Land Bounty! Krag sprints ahead, leaps onto the ramp, and slams the side hatch open. The ninja dive inside as the wolves close in. Krag bounds in last. Clumsy (smug): На! Not this time, guys! He slams the door button. Nothing happens. He presses it again. And again. Clumsy: Uh... little help? The wolves leap toward the opening. Krag grabs the door and tries forcing it shut- But it jams. The wolves are almost inside. Smurfette spots a fire extinguisher. She yanks it free and hurls it outside. Smurfette (to Brainy): Zap it! Brainy thrusts his hands forward— Lightning crackles and strikes the extinguisher. BOOM! A burst of sparks and freezing vapor erupts, startling the Frost Wolves. They yelp and scatter into the snowstorm. Inside the Land Bounty- Silence. Everyone exhales in relief. Clumsy: That won't scare them off for long. Smurfette turns toward the dashboard of flickering controls. She cracks her knuckles. Smurfette: Then we'd better get this tub of bolts running again. Hefty: Fast. Outside, distant howls echo through the storm. And the wolves are not far away. Darkness. A faint groan echoes through the frozen chamber. Dreamy stirs, pushing himself up from the icy floor. Frost clings to his clothes. He winces as he notices thick shackles of corrupted ice locked around his wrists. He pulls. The chains don't budge. From the shadows, a voice speaks. Prisoner: Are you awake... my friend? Dreamy looks around, stepping toward the barred door of his cell. Dreamy: Yeah. I'm awake. Who are you? A large silhouette shifts in the next cell. Prisoner: A prisoner. Like you. What is your name? Dreamy: Dreamy. Prisoner: Welcome to the Ice Emperor's dungeon, Dreamy. I am Kataru. Dreamy freezes. Dreamy: Kataru? Akita's brother? The bear? The figure rises and steps into the dim light - battered, weary, but strong. Kataru (sharply): How do you know that name? Dreamy: Akita told me. She told me everything about you. Kataru's expression hardens. Kataru: My sister is gone. Frozen... along with the rest of my people. The Emperor's Ice Dragon saw to that. He turns away, shoulders heavy. Dreamy (urgent): No. She's alive. We crossed the ice together. Kataru spins back, gripping the bars of his cell. Kataru: Do you swear it? Do you swear she lives? Dreamy: I swear. She thought you were dead. She thought the dragon took you. Kataru exhales slowly. Kataru: Boreal did take me. But it did not destroy me. It brought me here... as a trophy for its master. He looks at the frozen walls around him. Dreamy: How long have you been here? Kataru gestures toward deep tally marks carved into the ice. Kataru: At first, I counted the days. The months. Perhaps even years. But after a while... I stopped. There is no escape from this place. Dreamy studies the frozen shackles on his wrists. Dreamy (quietly, but firm): There is always a way. Slow, mocking applause echoes through the dungeon. Vex steps into view outside Dreamy's cell. Vex: Ah... such optimism. How refreshing. He circles the bars. Vex: But, sadly, there are details you do not yet understand. For example... those shackles. Dreamy looks down as the corrupted ice pulses faintly. Vex: Forged from corrupted ice. Strong enough to prevent a Formling from shifting shape... strong enough, l believe, to suppress your powers as well. Dreamy lunges forward, gripping the bars. Dreamy: You coward! You liar! I don't know how you twisted Handy into trusting you - but he'll see through you. He'll see what you really are! Vex smiles thinly. Vex: What I am... is his most loyal advisor. And you? He leans closer. Vex: You are a traitor. A rebel spy. A threat to his reign. His voice lowers. Vex: And I remove threats. He lets out a cold laugh and strolls down the row of cells, dragging his hand along the frozen bars - stopping briefly at Kataru's. When Vex disappears into the darkness, silence returns. Kataru sinks back against the wall. Kataru: I am sorry, my friend. I wish I could offer you hope... but there is none here. Dreamy looks toward the faint light filtering from above. A small, determined smile forms. Dreamy: There's always hope. Akita's out there. My friends are out there. He tightens his fists despite the ice biting into his wrists. Dreamy: And if there's one thing I know about ninja... He looks toward the dungeon entrance. Dreamy: They never quit. They never give up. Ever. Snow piles high around the Land Bounty as Hefty and Krag shovel furiously. Hefty (panting) : Maybe... we should just give up? Krag pauses and tilts his head. Hefty: I mean, Smurfette's great at fixing stuff, but this thing's ancient! It's not Handy-level genius. It's more like... scrap metal with wheels. Inside the Land Bounty, sparks fly. Smurfette: Okay! Try it again! Brainy flips a switch. The engine sputters... lights flicker... then die. Brainy: Eh-augh! Whatever you're doing, I think you're getting warmer. Clumsy: Definitely warmer. It lit up that time! Smurfette: Good! That's progress. Try again! Brainy turns it on- SPARKS shoot out. Brainy: Whoa! Ah! Nope! Colder. Much colder! Smurfette: Okay, okay... reverse the polarity. Negative to positive. Positive to negative. And this— She yanks out a metal compartment and tosses it aside. Clumsy: Uh... don't we need that? Brainy: Yes. Yes, we probably do. Smurfette (without looking up): If either of you think you can do better, be my guest. She tosses a wrench at Brainy. He fumbles it. Brainy: Nope! You're doing great. Fantastic even. Inspired work. Outside- Krag growls low. Hefty: What? You smell something? A distant howl answers. Hefty slowly turns. Frost Wolves emerge from the swirling snow. Hefty: Oh no. Not again! He rushes to the hatch. Hefty (yelling inside): Guys! Problem! They're back! Brainy slides to the doorway and slams the door button. Nothing. He presses it again. Still nothing. Brainy: Oh, great. Smurfette, whatever you're doing-do it faster! Smurfette: Working on it! She rips out another piece. Smurfette: And this-no idea what it does! She tosses it. Clumsy: That might've been the brakes. Beat. Clumsy: But hey! Who needs those? Smurfette: TRY IT NOW! Clumsy pulls the ignition lever. The engine coughs- Then dies. Smurfette bonks her head against the console. Smurfette: Why won't you just START?! The Frost Wolves surround the Bounty. Krag leaps forward, grabbing one by the scruff and hurling it aside. He roars as two more leap at him. Hefty: Krag! Krag slams one into the snow and punches another away-but more close in. Hefty (worried): This is bad. This is really bad! Above, a wolf climbs onto the Bounty. Brainy looks up— Brainy: Smurfette! Hefty's right! For once! Hefty: Hey! Smurfette slams the wrench against the dashboard. Smurfette: Come on, you stubborn bucket of bolts! She hits it again. The engine suddenly ROARS to life. Lights flare bright. At that exact moment- A Frost Wolf leaps at Brainy- He blasts it with lightning mid-air. It tumbles into the snow. Hefty: Krag! Get in! Krag throws off another wolf and dives inside. Hefty slams the door button— This time it works. A wolf crashes against the sealed hatch. Hefty exhales. Hefty: That was close. Smurfette (grinning): Everyone hold on! The Land Bounty jolts upward, breaking free from the snow in a burst of ice and powder. It rockets forward across the frozen tundra. Hefty, Brainy, and Krag cheer. Hefty / Brainy / Krag: Woo-hoo! Clumsy: Nice job, sis! Smurfette smirks proudly. Smurfette: Why, thank you, bro. Vex paces in the hallway when he hears a faint noise. He spins around-but sees nothing. Shrugging, he moves on. From behind a crystalline wall of ice, Grimfax slips silently away, running the opposite direction. In the dungeon, Dreamy struggles against the icy shackles binding his wrists. Kataru: Save your strength, my friend. Ten of us couldn't break those chains. Dreamy: There has to be some way... some way out. Kataru: The only way out is if someone actually lets us out. And I don't see that happening anytime soon. He closes his eyes, resigned-but jolts them open when he hears footsteps approaching: Grimfax walking past his cell. Dreamy keeps trying to tug at his shackles, then looks up-surprised. Dreamy: You? What are you doing here? Grimfax: (Quietly, almost a whisper) I'm contemplating something foolish... I might help you. But first... tell me the truth. Is it true what you said? That the Emperor... was once a good man? Dreamy: Yes. I know he was. And I believe I can awaken him. Grimfax: Awaken him? You think that's possible? Dreamy: If I can get the scepter away from him, yes. He'll remember. I know he will. Grimfax tosses a key to Dreamy, who catches it, puzzled. With a determined nod, he unlocks his shackles. Grimfax moves to Kataru's cell, unlocking it as well. Kataru steps free, joining them. Grimfax: I hope you're right. (Smiles faintly) Because... I'm coming over to your side. Dreamy: Welcome... to the Resistance.

Corruption Snow whips across the jagged cliffs as Vex stumbles through the frozen wilderness. In the distance, he spots something- A castle. Warriors march out from its gates. Vex: Huh... He quickly drops to one knee, half-concealing himself behind a drift of snow. Suddenly-shhk! Spears are drawn behind him. Vex turns slowly... and gasps at the ring of armored warriors surrounding him. He raises his hands. Two warriors drag Vex before Grimfax. Warrior: An intruder, my lord. We found him skulking outside the gates. Vex jerks himself free. Vex: Not skulking-walking. I am a traveler from the South. I come seeking you, oh king. Grimfax (coldly): For what purpose? Vex (bowing slightly): To offer my services... as an advisor. Grimfax gestures to his current advisor, who pauses his writing to glare at Vex before continuing. Grimfax: I already have one. Vex smirks. Vex: Ah... but does he know of the Formlings? The advisor looks up, confused. Vex (leaning in): A dangerous tribe of shape-shifters who dwell beyond these mountains. Even now, they scheme against you. Plotting. Planning. Grimfax stares at him, unimpressed. Grimfax: So says you... Vex. Vex stiffens. Grimfax (sharply): Yes. I know who you are. Vex the Formless. I know of your lies. The Formlings have never troubled us-and we will not trouble them. He turns away dismissively. Grimfax: Give him food, water, and a proper cloak. Then send him on his way—before his jealousy sours us all. Vex's expression twists with fury. Vex: You will regret this! All of you! I will return— And when I do... you will wish you had treated me differently! The guards force him out as his voice echoes through the hall. Two Ice Fishers cook their catch nearby. When they step away to talk, Vex creeps toward the unattended fish. Vex (whispering): Ah... finally. He grabs it- Ice Fisher: Hey! You there! Stop! Vex drops the fish and bolts. Deeper into the woods, his stomach growls. He lunges at a chicken—it leaps over him and pecks at his head before fluttering away. Later, he finds a trail of berries leading to a bush. He devours them hungrily- A low growl interrupts him. A wolf emerges. Vex: ...Oh. The wolf chases him through the snow until he collapses, exhausted, on a rocky ledge. Night falls. Suddenly- A portal rips open in the sky. A water gun tumbles out. Vex (startled): What? Another portal flashes- A massive mechanical arm crashes into the snow, fingers twitching. Vex: Ahh! The sky tears open again and the rest of a Titan Mech slams down in pieces. Vex stares in awe. Vex (whispering): What is that? The portal opens one final time- Handy and the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu fall through. Handy (groaning): Ahh... Vex dives behind a rock. Handy rises slowly, repairing minor damage to himself. Handy: Hello? Is anyone there? He climbs atop the wrecked mech and looks at the fading sunset. Handy: Where am I? Lightning flashes in the distance. Handy: I should find shelter... but I can't leave you here. After all, Lily built you. He attempts to form an ice platform-but his injuries weaken him. His gaze falls on the scroll. He hesitates. Handy: No... He tries again without it-fails. After a long pause- Handy: Unless... He picks up the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. Power surges effortlessly. A solid ice platform forms beneath the mech. From behind the rock— Vex (softly): Oh... Handy pushes the platform through the snow. Vex follows at a distance, a slow smile spreading across his face. Handy spots shelter. Handy: A cave. That will suffice-for now. As he pushes the mech inside, a screech pierces the air. An Ice Bird swoops down, knocking him aside. Handy grabs his staff and fires a burst of energy. The bird retreats. Handy: What was that? He seals the entrance with ice, creating a secure cavern. Outside- Vex (whispering): Incredible... He sneaks toward the cave entrance. Inside, Handy sets the scroll aside, resisting its pull. He places a screen recorder down and activates it. Handy (calmly): Greetings, friend. If you have found this recording... then I am no longer here. Images of him repairing the mech flicker past. Handy: My name is Handy. I am a stranger in this land... trying to find my way home. It is difficult to keep track of time here. It feels as though I have been stranded for quite some time. Behind him, unseen- Vex slips into the cave. His eyes lock onto the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. A slow, dangerous smile spreads across his face. Vex (whispering): Hmm... Inside the ice cave, the recorder continues blinking. Handy (to the recorder): ...But I refuse to give up hope. I am attempting to repair the mech. Unfortunately, its processing unit is severely damaged. To fix it, I will use this energy cube Lily created. She told me that if anything ever went wrong with the mech, this could restore it. He studies the glowing cube in his hands. Handy: The only downside... I must remain at a safe distance. If I miscalculate, it could explode. And if that happens... some of my memory may be erased. He pauses. Handy (softly): In case something goes wrong... this may be the final recording of Handy. Master of Ice. Son of Papa Smurf. Behind a jagged ice pillar, Vex narrows his eyes. Vex (whispering): Handy... He smiles. Handy steadies himself. Handy: I was created to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I have tried to fulfill that purpose. His hands tighten slightly. Handy: Goodbye, my friends... and... He hesitates. Handy (quietly): Lily... I love you. He turns off the recorder. Handy (nervous exhale): As Clumsy would say... here goes nothing. He inserts the energy cube into the mech. A mechanical voice echoes through the cave. System: Commencing system diagnostic. Do not remove data cable. Data interruption may result in system failure and/or memory loss. Diagnostic at 10%. Handy backs away, measuring distance. Handy: Okay... perhaps here? No... maybe farther. But it is freezing... and I do not have a proper jacket... System: 20% complete. 30% complete. System: 40% complete. 50% complete. Vex grabs Handy's staff and tries to activate it-but nothing happens. Vex: What? System: 60% complete. Vex's eyes darken. He rushes toward the mech. System: 70% complete. 80% complete. 90% complete. Handy turns suddenly. Handy: Hey! Who are you? What are you doing?! A wicked idea flashes across Vex's face. He yanks at the energy cable. System: Error. Warning. Data interruption detected. Please move to safe distance. Vex dives behind a rock. Handy: No-wait! The mech erupts in a blast of icy energy. The explosion hurls Handy into the cave wall. He collapses, striking his head. Silence. Snow drifts down from the ceiling. Vex slowly steps forward. Handy groans. His eyes flicker open. They are unfocused. Handy: Hello...? Vex (smoothly): Hello. Handy (confused): I.. I am sorry. Where am I? Who are you? Vex bows slightly. Vex: Do you not remember? I am Vex. Handy: Are we... friends? A calculating smile spreads across Vex's face. Vex: Most certainly. I am your loyal advisor. Handy struggles to sit up. Handy: But... who am I? Vex steps closer, voice lowering. Vex: Such a tragedy. You truly have forgotten. You are unwell, my lord-but do not worry. I will take care of you. It is my sworn duty. Handy: Your duty? Vex: You are the Ice Emperor. The rightful ruler of this realm. Handy blinks. Handy: I... am? Vex (firmly) : Of course. He picks up the staff and presents it with reverence. Vex: Your scepter, my lord. Handy takes it. The staff ignites with blue flames. Frost spirals outward. A cold wind fills the cave. Handy (dazed): Is this... my home? Vex (soft, manipulative): For now. But it was not always so. You were cast out from your true kingdom. Warriors stole it from you. They feared your power. Handy's expression slowly hardens. Vex: But now you have awakened. And perhaps... it is time to reclaim what is yours. Handy looks at him, uncertain. Handy: Would you advise me to do so? Vex kneels. A sinister smile forms. Vex: Most certainly... my Emperor. Inside the great hall, warriors laugh and speak among themselves. The massive doors suddenly BURST open in a blast of frost. An icy wind sweeps through the chamber. Handy steps inside. Behind him, Vex smiles. The room falls silent. Grimfax (rising from his throne): Who are you? What is the meaning of this intrusion? Vex steps forward. Vex: Have you forgotten me so quickly? Grimfax narrows his eyes. Grimfax: Vex. What do you want? Vex: Only to see justice restored... and my lord returned to his rightful throne. Grimfax scoffs. Grimfax: What lord? This throne is mine. Vex's smile fades. Vex: Not anymore. Grimfax slams his spear against the ground. Grimfax: Guards! Throw them out! The warriors roar and charge. Warriors: ARRGH! Handy raises his staff. A surge of freezing energy blasts outward. One by one, the warriors are struck-encased in ice where they stand. Grimfax leaps aside as jagged ice erupts from the floor, crawling toward the throne. Grimfax: Seize them! Handy opens the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. The ancient symbols glow. A vortex of snow and wind spirals through the hall. The frozen warriors tremble- Then their forms shift. Their eyes glow cold blue. Ice hardens into armor. They rise as Blizzard Warriors. Grimfax steps back in disbelief. Grimfax: I said seize him! The Blizzard Warriors do not move against Handy. Instead— They fall into formation as he walks past them. The entire hall bows to the cold. Grimfax stares at Handy. Grimfax (quietly): Who... are you? Vex steps beside Handy, voice echoing with triumph. Vex: He is the Ice Emperor. And you will obey... or perish. The temperature drops further. Grimfax exhales slowly- Then lowers himself to one knee. The Blizzard Warriors follow. Handy ascends the frozen steps. Ice reshapes the throne, taller and sharper than before. Servants place a newly forged helmet upon his head. Frost spreads across darkened armor, forming jagged patterns of power. The Ice Emperor sits. He raises the Scroll. Outside the castle, the sky darkens. Snow begins to fall. Across the mountains- Across the forests- Across the Great Lake- An eternal winter spreads. Torches flicker out. Lamps freeze solid. The world grows silent beneath the storm. Inside the throne room, Vex stands at the Emperor's side. Satisfied. At last- His revenge has begun.

The Kaiju Protocol A swirling portal snaps open. Papa Smurf, Storm, Blossom, and Lily step through- —and immediately freeze. They are surrounded by an endless horde of beavers. Hundreds of them. Maybe thousands. They stare intensely. Storm: Seriously... how many are there?! Blossom (spinning slowly): I lost count at "way too many." Also-why does any realm need this many beavers? The beavers begin chanting in unison. Beavers (rhythmic): Fix it. Fix it. Fix it. Fix it. Fix it. Lily (calm but concerned): I do not believe this is the Never-Realm, Papa Smurf. Papa Smurf (grimly): I've reached the same conclusion. A beaver grabs Storm's arrow. Storm: Hey! That's mine! Give it back, you overgrown toothpick! Blossom: At this rate, we're completely surrounded! Beavers (louder): Fix it! Fix it! Fix it! Lily grabs a broom, snaps it clean in half, and tosses the pieces toward the portal. Lily (deadpan): Fix this. The beavers gasp. Then scramble back through the portal in a frenzy. Beavers (excited): Fix it! Fix it! Fix it! Papa Smurf quickly seals the portal. Silence. Storm: Well... that was a failure. Blossom: No kidding. I never want to see that many beavers again. Papa Smurf sighs, studying the teapot. Papa Smurt: Mystake's Traveler's Tea recipe is not powerful enough to reach the Never-Realm. Lily: What else can we do? Papa Smurf: Perhaps we must increase the strength. The more leaves... the stronger the gateway. Blossom: That could work. Storm (worried): It better. Who knows how long our friends have been stuck there. Lily checks the nearly empty pouch. Lily: We are running out of leaves. Papa Smurf lowers his head. Papa Smurf: Which is why it should have been me who went after Handy... not them. Storm (groans): Oh boy. This conversation again. Blossom (quietly to Lily): Your turn. Lily (firm but respectful): We have discussed this, Papa Smurf. It was my assessment the ninja had the highest probability of success. Papa Smurf: And perhaps they have succeeded... But the tea they carried will not be enough to bring them home. We must open the gateway for them. Storm crosses her arms. Storm: So why didn't you tell us everything from the start? Papa Smurf hesitates. Papa Smurf: Because... I do not know everything about the Never-Realm. My father never spoke of it. Blossom steps forward. Blossom: Then we keep trying. We can't give up. They're counting on us. Lily nods and pours more leaves into the teapot. Lily: I am tripling the concentration. She pours the steaming tea into Papa Smurf's cup. Papa Smurf drinks-and opens another portal. The portal swirls open- Flames and shadows rise. Papa Smurf: The Underworld. He closes it quickly. More leaves. Another portal. Floating islands and golden towers drift in the sky. Blossom: Cloud Kingdom. Closed again. More leaves. Another attempt. Dark skies. Dragons and Oni clash in the distance. Papa Smurf: The Realm of Oni and Dragons... the First Realm. He shuts it with a frustrated sigh. Storm: How many leaves is this going to take?! Blossom: We've already passed the Underworld, the Cloud Kingdom, the First Realm- How many realms are there left?! The pouch of leaves looks dangerously light. Steam rises from the teapot once more. They all stare at it. One last chance. The four of them sit down, exhausted from their searches. Blossom: This is harder than I thought. Storm: Yeah... who knew getting our friends home would be this impossible? Lily: I'm beginning to wonder if there's a reason we keep failing. Papa Smurf: A reason? Lily: Perhaps it's something about the Never-Realm itself. Maybe Traveler's Tea simply can't reach it could be the only realm immune to it. Storm: Good point, Lily... but still.. Blossom: I don't even want to imagine that. Papa Smurf: Let's hope that's not the case. Otherwise... the ninja could be lost forever. Blossom (quietly): I hope Brainy's okay. I miss him so much. Storm: Same here... with Clumsy. Is this what he felt when he was trapped in the First Realm? Lily: Don't worry. We can't give up hope. Papa Smurf pours more tea into the pot and opens a portal. Lily: Is this it? The Never-Realm? Blossom: I'm not sure... it feels... off. Creepy. Papa Smurf: I'm not sure either... wait—do you hear that? It sounds like... the Land Bounty! Storm: Why do I feel like it's... something else? More like... rumbling? Lily: It doesn't sound mechanical. They all start to back away. Papa Smurf: It has to be! Listen! He peers into the portal—and freezes. Tentacles are slithering out. Papa Smurf: No... impossible! It's the Departed Realm! No! He moves to close the portal, almost succeeding-but the Preeminent lashes a tentacle through and reopens it. Blossom: Oh no... this is bad. Lily: Something's coming through! The Preeminent bursts forward, slamming her tentacles down. Lily reacts instantly, tossing herself and Papa Smurf aside. Lily: Ha! Ah! Papa Smurf: Oh... The Preeminent pauses, scanning the mountain, then advances toward Ninjago City. Papa Smurf: No! What have I done?! That creature is the Preeminent —the living embodiment of the Cursed Realm! It must be stopped! Blossom: We have to do something! We can't let this happen again! Lily: Sound the alarm. Alert the city. I'll handle the Preeminent. Storm: Are you sure that you can do by yourself. Lily: Yes... I'm the only one with the Samurai X. She races to the hangar bay, throwing three shurikens to hit a target and a soda bottle to activate a button. She jumps into the elevator and presses her hand to the scanner. The elevator descends. She steps into the mech as it rises. Lily (helmet on): Initiate Protocol Kaiju. Primary laser: activated. Halo jets: online. Safety protocols: disabled. She lifts off, identity hidden behind her helmet, racing out toward the threat. Citizens run through the streets in panic. Citizens: Ahhh! Sirens blare overhead. Intercom (repeating): Evacuate. Evacuate. Evacuate. The Preeminent storms through Midtown, tentacles smashing cars and shattering pavement. A news helicopter hovers dangerously close. Gayle Gossip: What is that thing?! Vinny (nervous): Looks like a giant... slimy tentacle monster?! The Preeminent rips a car from the street and hurls it toward the helicopter. Gayle Gossip (steadying herself): Gayle Gossip, Ninjago City News, reporting live over Midtown, where a massive unidentified creature is attacking the city- The Preeminent rises behind the helicopter and unleashes a thunderous roar. The shockwave sends the aircraft spiraling. Gayle Gossip: —we'll be back after a short message! News Crew: Ahhhh! Suddenly- Metal hands catch the helicopter mid-fall. Lily's Samurai X mech lowers it safely to the ground. Gayle Gossip (relieved): Samurai X! Thank you! The pilot tips his hat. Lily: Gratitude is unnecessary. It is the civic duty of all citizens to- A tentacle lashes around the mech. Lily: -ah! The Preeminent swings her violently and hurls her into a building. Stone and glass explode outward. Lily rockets back into the air as tentacles slam down where she stood. She fires two missiles. They streak forward— —but the Preeminent blocks them with her limbs, roaring in fury. The monster launches herself skyward, chasing Lily across the skyline. They collide midair. Steel against shadow. Blow for blow. The Preeminent smashes Lily down into the street, cracking the pavement beneath her. Gayle Gossip: You're getting all this, right, Vinny? You better be getting this! Vinny (fumbling): Oh! Right-uh-yes! He accidentally points the camera at Gayle. She forcefully turns it back to the battle. Lily blocks another strike, jets flaring. She dodges, counters- —and delivers a powerful uppercut, launching the Preeminent into the air. The creature crashes hard into the street, dust rising around her. Lily lands, steady and composed. Lily: Preeminent, I request that you cease this course of action. If you accompany me back to the Monastery, I will ensure your safe and immediate return to your realm of origin. Do you understand? The Preeminent slowly lifts a tentacle... and waves it. Seemingly in agreement. Lily (lowering her guard slightly): Thank you for choosing the path of peace and— Suddenly, the tentacle snaps tight around her mech and flings her into the sky. Lily (recovering midair): Very well. Just remember- This was your choice. Jets ignite. The Preeminent roars. They launch at each other once more- -and clash in midair. Near Borg Tower A citizen hums along to music on the radio while driving through Ninjago City. Gayle Gossip (radio broadcast): For those of you just tuning in, I repeat-Samurai X is battling a giant monster downtown. Citizen: Oh. Gayle Gossip: Near Borg Tower! The citizen's eyes widen. Tires screech as she spins the car around, abandoning it in the street and running for safety. Moments later- Samurai X lands beside the empty vehicle. Lily lifts the car and hurls it at the Preeminent. The creature swats it aside like a toy. Lily fires missiles. The Preeminent blocks them and leaps skyward. Lily rockets up to meet her and fires two more missiles The Preeminent accidentally swallows them. A muffled explosion. She freezes. Then— Burrrp. Smoke pours from her mouth. Lily waves the smoke away. The Preeminent shrieks and charges. Lily deploys her energy sword. Steel meets shadow as they clash midair. With swift precision, Lily slices through two tentacles. The Preeminent roars in pain. Lily: Once again, l urge you-desist in this course of action- A damaged tentacle lashes out, slamming her into a building. Her sword flies from her grasp, landing on a nearby car. Another tentacle coils around the mech's arm— —and rips it clean off. Lily: Ahh! Papa Smurf (alarmed): Lily, my readings show severe power loss! You're hemorrhaging energy! You must retreat! Storm: Yeah! The mech isn't built to handle this much damage! You've got to get out of there! Blossom: Please, Lily-we're worried about you! Lily (steady but strained): Retreat is not an option. I am the city's only line of defense. There is no backup plan. The Preeminent batters her again, sending her flying out toward the edge of the city. Lily crashes near an electrical tower. She looks up. An idea forms. She rips loose a massive power cable. Papa Smurf (panicked): Lily... what are you doing? Lily: Attempting to replenish energy reserves. Storm: Wait-what?! Blossom: You're not serious! Papa Smurf: No! Not a direct overload! That much raw energy could burn out your entire system! Storm: Turn around! We'll find another way! Lily hesitates. Inside the cockpit, she looks at a small picture of her and Handy. She takes a breath. Lily (softly): That is a risk... I am willing to take. Papa Smurf (voice breaking): Please don't do this. I promised Willow I would look after you. It's my responsibility to protect you! Lily: If this fails... Blossom, Storm-thank you for being my best friends. And please... tell Handy... ...that I love him. Papa Smurf: Lily! No! Storm: Don't! Blossom: Lily! She slams the power cable into the mech. Energy surges violently through the armor. The entire machine glows. The Preeminent lashes out— Lily grabs one of the tentacles. Jets ignite. She pulls the monster toward her and delivers a devastating kick- Channeling every ounce of overloaded energy into the Preeminent. A massive explosion of light erupts. The shockwave ripples across the skyline. When the light fades- The Preeminent crashes to the ground, motionless. The Police Commissioner, Sammy, and frightened citizens slowlv peek out from hiding. Storm (nervous): Is she... okay? Blossom: Lily... please tell me you're safe... Papa Smurf (desperate): Lily! Lily, are you there?! Inside the smoking cockpit— Lily's eyes flicker open. Lily (weakly): Did... it work? Blossom (relieved): It sure did! Storm: Nice one, Lily! We're proud of you! Papa Smurf (overcome): Yes! It worked. You saved the city. You are amazing. Lily slowly sits upright. Lily: I only did what was necessary to protect Ninjago City. I apologize for worrying you. Storm: What matters is-you're okay. Blossom: And you saved everyone. Papa Smurf (gently): Lily... I'm sure Willow would be proud of you. Lily hesitates. Lily: Does that mean... you're no longer angry with me? Papa Smurf (smiling): Yes. That's exactly what it means. Lily smiles. In the distance, lily drags the defeated Preeminent back toward the Monastery. Gayle Gossip: And so, the dramatic conflict ended moments ago when Samurai X defeated the creature, saving dozens of lives-my own included. Which is why I would like to end this broadcast with a simple message: Thank you, Samurai X. The portal to the Departed Realm closes in a swirl of fading energy. Silence settles over the courtyard. Lily (exhaling): Well... that takes care of that. Storm (nodding): Yeah. It sure does. Blossom: At least we won't have to deal with the Preeminent again. Papa Smurf watches the last traces of magic disappear, his expression heavy. Papa Smurf: It is unfortunate that returning the Preeminent required the last of our enchanted tea. Without it... the ninja may be trapped. A tense silence follows. Storm: Don't say that. Blossom: Exactly. They're not doomed. Lily steps forward, calm but confident. Lily: If the ninja were standing here right now... what would you tell them? Papa Smurf looks at her. Papa Smurf: I would tell them not to give up hope. Ninja never quit. Lily gives a small, knowing smile. Lily: Then perhaps you should trust your own words. The ninja will find their way home. Somehow. Some way. Blossom folds her arms, trying to stay positive. Blossom: Right now, all we can do is believe in them. They'll come back. And when they do... we'll find Handy too. Storm: Yeah. Hope and faith—that's what we hold on to now. The four of them step forward together, gazing up at the open sky. Clouds drift peacefully overhead. For the first time since the battle— There is quiet. And hope.

My Enemy, My Friend Brainy, Hefty, and Smurfette carve down the snowy mountainside on makeshift boards, laughing as powder sprays behind them. Krag bounds after them, struggling to keep balance. Hefty whoops as he launches off a ridge, soaring over a scatter of ancient skeleton bones half-buried in snow. He lands hard but steady at the base. Hefty: Yeah! Alright! Brainy slides in beside him, wobbling but upright. Smurfette arrives moments later, brushing snow from her hat. Krag comes barreling down last— And crashes straight into Hefty and Brainy. They tumble into a heap, laughing. Brainy (catching his breath): I still can't believe you found a Traveler's Tree, Hefty. They start walking toward the village. Hefty: Me neither. Who would've guessed Traveler's Tea comes from a tree? He pats the pouch tucked inside his jacket. Smurfette: I wonder how we're supposed to turn it into tea. Brainy: Maybe that old lady in the village can help. She seems to know all sorts of... unusual things. Smurfette: Sorla? Yeah. Hopefully. Hefty (grinning): All I know is I am not losing these leaves again. I'm keeping them tucked right here, safe and— Krag suddenly stops. He lifts his head. Sniffs. A low growl rumbles in his chest. Hefty: What is it, Krag? What do you smell? A distant roar echoes across the mountains. The laughter dies instantly. They look up- A massive ice dragon cuts through the storm clouds. Brainy (gasping): What was that?! Krag growls louder. Smurfette (whispering): A dragon... They dive behind an ice ridge as Boreal sweeps overhead, wings casting long shadows across the snow. The wind from his passing nearly knocks them over. He doesn't see them. He keeps flying. Toward the village. Hefty peers over the ice. Hefty: It's heading straight for village! Boreal lets out another thunderous roar. Without hesitation, Hefty, Smurfette, Brainy, and Krag burst from cover and sprint down the slope toward the village as fast as they can. At the frozen edge of the Great Lake, Uthaug and Boma struggle with a massive ice breaker, slamming it again and again into the thick surface. Boma (panting) : The ice is too thick! Uthaug (snatching the tool): You're doing it wrong. Let me try! He plants his feet and swings hard. The ice barely cracks. Uthaug (scoffing): Too thick for you, maybe. I'm stronger. Boma: Stronger? Everyone knows I'm the strong one! If I can't break it, you don't stand a chance! Uthaug (flexing slightly): What are you talking about? Look at these muscles! I'm not even trying to show off. I like these clothes! Before Boma can retort— A distant roar echoes across the lake. They freeze. Three children race across the wooden bridge, carrying fish on sticks. They pass Sorla and hurry toward Clumsy, who lounges in a hammock near a cabin. Child #1: Clumsy! Clumsy! Light our fish! Clumsy sits up, rubbing his eyes. Clumsy: Okay, okay! One at a time! He cups his hands, summoning a small flame to cook the first fish— A thunderous roar splits the sky. Everyone looks up. High above, Boreal circles the village, icy wings cutting through the clouds. Child #2 (whispering): What... was that? Clumsy (urgent): Inside! All of you—go! The children scatter. Boreal swoops low. A blast of frost erupts from his jaws— Ice spreads across rooftops, docks, and pathways in an instant. Clumsy grabs one of the children and pulls them away. Clumsy: Run! Villagers sprint in every direction as ice chases at their heels. Clumsy hesitates, turning back. He plants his feet and raises his hands. Clumsy (straining): You can do it... come on... come on! A flicker of fire sparks to life-but weak. The dragon's frost slams down the path. Clumsy dodges just in time, turning to see several Ice Fishers frozen mid-stride. Clumsy (horrified): No... More cries echo. Sorla, Uthaug, and Boma race toward safety. Sorla: Run! Clumsy sprints toward them, reaching for Sorla- Ice surges forward and encases her instantly. Clumsy: Sorla! No! No, no, no! The frost keeps spreading. Clumsy leaps onto a cabin rooftop. Clumsy (shouting): Hey! Over here! Boreal turns, eyes blazing cold. Clumsy forces his fire outward, forming a faint shield of flame. The dragon unleashes another blast. Fire and ice collide- For a brief moment, the flames push back. Then the shield shatters. Clumsy is thrown from the roof. He crashes into the snow. Boreal circles once more, surveying the frozen village. Satisfied. With a final roar, he turns and flies back toward the distant Castle of Ice. Clumsy groans and pushes himself up. He looks around. Everywhere- Ice. Homes frozen mid-life. Villagers trapped in crystal stillness. Clumsy (hoarse): Hello? ...Anyone? Only the wind answers. He walks through the silent village, hope fading with every step. Finally, he sinks to his knees in the snow. Alone. The Great Lake lies still. The village stands frozen. And the Long Winter tightens its grip. Hefty, Brainy, Smurfette, and Krag race into the village -and stop cold. Everything is encased in ice. Homes. Bridges. The Great Lake. Their friends. Smurfette (horrified whisper): Oh no... Brainy: Clumsy! They spot him standing in the middle of the square, surrounded by frozen villagers. Hefty (running to him): Are you alright? Clumsy doesn't look up. Clumsy (shaken): I couldn't do anything... to stop it. I tried, but- (Swallows.) My Elemental Powers weren't strong enough. I... I couldn't stop it. Smurfette turns-and sees Sorla, frozen mid-stride. Smurfette: Sorla! She rushes over, pressing her ear to the ice. Thump. Thump. A faint heartbeat. She pounds on the ice desperately. Smurfette: She's still alive! Brainy (gently): Smurfette... you can't break it like that. Smurfette (tears forming): We have to! There has to be a way! Hefty (quietly): He's right. Clumsy stares at the frozen villagers. Clumsy: I was supposed to protect them. And I failed. Krag walks among the Ice Fishers, letting out a low, mournful growl. Brainy steps forward Brainy: They're not gone, Clumsy. They're frozen. That means there's still hope. We'll find a way to help them. I promise. Smurfette wipes her eyes. Smurfette: How? Hefty's jaw tightens. Hefty: The Ice Emperor did this. Clumsy's expression shifts—grief hardening into resolve. Clumsy: Then maybe it's time we take the fight to him. Smurfette looks up. Smurfette: What are you thinking? Clumsy takes a steady breath. Clumsy: Dreamy wanted us to distract the Ice Emperor. Give him a chance to sneak in and find Handy. What better way to distract him... than finding the Land Bounty, fixing it up- —and driving it straight through his front door? A beat. Hefty slowly grins. Hefty: You know... when I suggest things like that, everyone calls me bonkers. He cracks his knuckles. Hefty: But I like it. Smurfette (firmly): Me too. Brainy: It's reckless. It's dangerous. It's wildly impractical. A small smile creeps onto his face. Brainy: Let's do it. Kraq roars in agreement. Clumsy jumps, startled-only now noticing Krag towering behind them. Clumsy: Ahh—! Since when did we have a dragon?! Despite everything, the faintest spark of energy returns to the group. The village may be frozen. But they are not. High above the frozen wasteland, Dreamy's Titan Mech trudges across the ice, Akita cradled carefully in one massive metal hand. Ahead of them— The Ice Castle rises from the glacier like a jagged crown. Dreamy (quietly): There it is. Akita shifts from her wolf form back into her human shape, landing lightly on the mech's shoulder. Akita: What are we waiting for? Dreamy studies the endless glacier between them and the fortress. Dreamy: It'll be dark soon. Crossing that in the night? Bad idea. We'll move at first light. A lantern glows softly beneath the mech's frame. Snow drifts across the ice as Dreamy and Akita sit close to the warmth. Akita: When you rescue your friend Handy... what will you do? Dreamy: If there's a way, I'll go back to Ninjago. Hopefully Lily Storm and Blossom found one. He glances at her. Dreamy: What about you? Akita looks toward the distant forest. Akita: The forest is my home. I do not know what waits for me after this. Dreamy brightens. Dreamy: You could come with us! She tilts her head. Akita: Do you have Formlings in Ninjago? Dreamy: Well... no. Akita: Then I would be alone there, too. Dreamy (quickly): You wouldn't! You'd have us! We've got a really cool Monastery, video games, a hot tub- (beat) —just... watch out for the chickens. Akita laughs softly. Then she stops. Her nose lifts. She sniffs the air. Dreamy: What is it? Akita (tense): Something is coming. She shifts instantly back into her wolf form. Dreamy leaps into the Titan Mech, powering it up. Above them- Boreal glides toward the castle, returning from his assault. Dreamy presses the mech flat against the ice wall of the glacier. The dragon passes overhead. Silence. Dreamy exhales. Then- Akita growls. Dreamy looks up. Boreal is circling back. Dreamy: Gah! Akita, get behind me! He activates the mech's slicer blade. Boreal unleashes a blast of ice— Dreamy braces and deflects it, the slicer reflecting shards back into the dragon's wings. Boreal screeches and rises higher. Then slams frost into the glacier around the mech— Ice erupts upward, locking the Titan in place. Dreamy: No! Akita darts across the ice as Boreal lands, stalking toward her. Dreamy (straining controls): Come on... come on! Akita dodges a freezing blast, slides beneath the dragon's body, and snaps at its underbelly. The distraction gives Dreamy time- With a roar of servos, the Titan shatters the ice binding it. Boreal lunges- Dreamy clamps the mech's hand over the dragon's jaws and slams it into the glacier. The dragon thrashes, tail whipping hard- CRACK! The tail smashes into the mech. Boreal leaps skyward. Dreamy grabs its leg- Ice surges instantly over the mech's right arm, freezing it solid. Boreal soars into the air, dragging the Titan across the glacier. Dreamy: Not good! Not good! Automated Voice: Warning. Hull integrity at 40 percent. They plummet lower- The mech scrapes across the ice, metal screaming. Automated Voice: 30 percent. Akita races below, keeping pace. Automated Voice: 20 percent. Warning. Hull integrity at 10 percent. Dreamy: I can count down to my own impending doom, thank you! Ahead- A sheer wall of ice. Boreal dives. Dreamy jams the mech's legs downward, trying to slow the slide- The frozen arm begins to crack apart— But Boreal releases him. The Titan slams into the glacier wall. Explosion of ice and metal. Silence. The mech collapses in ruins. Dreamy crawls out of the wreckage, injured and dazed. Boreal lands heavily before him, crawling closer, frost gathering in its jaws. Akita leaps onto the dragon's back, racing up its spine She clamps its mouth shut just as frost builds. Boreal roars in fury and whips her off— Throwing her hard against the glacier wall. She collapses. Dreamy (hoarse, desperate): Akita! He struggles to stand as the dragon looms over him, frost swirling once more- The castle towering behind it. Inside the icy throne chamber, blue light flickers across frozen pillars. Vex stands before a jagged crystal, its surface shimmering. Within it- Boreal's vision. Dreamy, injured but alive. Vex narrows his eyes. Vex (coldly): No... bring him to the Ice Emperor. Boreal's claws clamp around Dreamy's armor and lift him from the glacier. Akita, back in her human form, struggles to her knees. Akita (weakly): Dreamy... The dragon soars toward the Ice Castle. The massive doors groan open. Vex stands waiting with two Blizzard Warriors. Boreal lands heavily and drops Dreamy at their feet. Dreamy groans, barely conscious. Vex (sharply): Pick him up. The warriors haul Dreamy upright. Vex circles him slowly, studying the torn armor, the green fabric beneath the frost. A faint smirk curls across his face. Vex: So this is the "hero." He turns sharply. Vex: Bring him. They drag Dreamy inside. The doors slam shut. Grimfax stands at attention beside the frozen throne. The Ice Emperor sits motionless- Then his eyes open. Cold. Empty. Unfamiliar. The Blizzard Warriors force Dreamy to his knees. Vex (bowing slightly): My Emperor... behold. The stranger in green. The Ice Emperor rises slowly from his throne. Each step down the frozen stairs echoes. Dreamy groans and forces his eyes open. His vision blurs- Then focuses. He sees the Emperor clearly. The armor. The frozen crown. And- Encased in ice within the Emperor's scepter- A scroll. Dreamy's breath catches. That isn't just a scepter. It's a naginata. And frozen within its blade- The Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. Recognition dawns. Horror follows. His voice cracks. Dreamy (whispering): ...Handy? The Ice Emperor stops at the base of the steps. His expression does not change. Only the wind howls through the chamber.

The Last of the Formlings Snow drifts softly outside their small shelter. The lantern flickers between them. Dreamy sits quietly as Akita stares into the flame. Akita: My story begins long ago. Before the Long Winter. Before the snow swallowed our world. There was a time when this realm was green... alive. (The forest appears in memory-lush trees, sunlight filtering through leaves. Animals and Formlings work side by side.) We were Formlings. We lived in peace with one another —and with the forest. At the end of each day, we returned to our village, hidden deep among the trees. It was beautiful. It was my home. But my brother and I were still younglings. We had not yet discovered our animal forms. (She watches two older youths transform gracefully into antelopes. Laughter fills the clearing.) And though I told my brother 1 was not afraid... I was. Snow dusts the forest floor. Young Akita stands stiffly. A snowball suddenly hits her shoulder. Past Kataru: What is it? Don't tell me you're still nervous. Past Akita: I am not. Past Kataru: You forget-I know that look. Past Akita: What if something goes wrong? The Choosing is in a week. What if... I do not find my animal form? (Kataru casually tosses a snowball into the air.) Past Kataru: All who are pure of heart find their form. (She crushes his snowball with one of her own.) Past Akita: Not all. Past Kataru: That was long ago. And it happened only once. Trust me. We will both find our forms. We will run through the forest together—day and night. You will see. (Akita smiles faintly—but uncertainty lingers in her eyes.) The tribe gathers. Drums echo softly. The Formling Leader dips his fingers into ceremonial paint and marks Akita and Kataru's faces with whisker-like strokes. The crowd murmurs. A new voice cuts through the ceremony. Past Vex: Ah... just in time for another Choosing. (Vex steps forward from the trees. Older. Colder. Bitterness etched into his face.) Such a savage tradition. Tell me, what will you do if these children fail? Will you cast them aside... as you did me? Past Leader: We did not reject you, Vex. Your exile was your choice. Past Vex: Choice? When my form did not come, you looked at me differently. Whispered when I passed. "Vex the shameful." "Vex the Formless." (The villagers shift uncomfortably.) Past Leader: That is your fear speaking. You saw rejection where there was none. Past Vex: I saw truth. Years alone in the Wilds gave me clarity. And power. (A faint frost spreads beneath his boots.) I have discovered something greater than your shapeshifting tricks. An elemental power. (The crowd gasps as cold air swirls unnaturally.) Bow to me now—willingly. Or when I return... you will bow unwillingly. Either way, I will take my rightful place above you. Past Leader: You are blinded by resentment, Vex. And we will not kneel to threats. (Vex's eyes narrow.) Past Vex: Then you will regret your defiance. He turns and disappears into the forest shadows. The lantern flickers low. Snow whispers against the shelter walls as Akita's voice softens. Akita: Vex returned to the forests from whence he came... and we resumed the Choosing. But something felt wrong. Like a shadow had followed us into the Wilderness. Kataru and I entered the Wilds in silence. The Choosing must pass without words. So we did not speak. We waited. For what, we did not know. A sign. A vision. A calling. Each day we traveled farther into lands unknown. And with every step... my fear grew. What if my form never came? What if I became like him... bitter and alone? Like Vex the Formless. Her voice trails off. She drifts into sleep beside the lantern. A whisper echoes through the dark. Spirit (soft, distant): Akita... Young Akita gasps awake in the Wilderness. Kataru is gone. Spirit: Akita... She climbs a towering tree, branches swaying beneath her hands. At the top— Clouds stretch before her like a path across the sky. She steps forward. The clouds hold. Spirit: Akita... A luminous three-tailed wolf spirit weaves through the mist. It circles her... then passes straight through her chest in a shimmer of light. The spirit looks back. Akita runs. She leaps- And merges with it. She lands beside a quiet pond. In the reflection— A wolf stares back. Silver fur. Markings bright against the moonlight. She studies her paws... her breath misting in the air. A growl rumbles behind her. A massive bear charges from the trees— But stops. The markings. The bear glances at the water. Two reflections. Recognition dawns. Past Kataru: Akita? She shifts back to human form. He does the same. They run into each other's arms. Past Kataru (laughing): We did it! I told you it would come! Past Akita (smiling through relief): A bear. Of course. Past Kataru: Because I am strong? Past Akita (snorts): Because you are loud. Always hungry. And sleep half the year. They laugh freely. Past Kataru: And you—a wolf. Sharp. Clever. Big teeth. She bumps his shoulder. Past Akita: Come on. Let us see if you can keep up. They race through the forest in their animal forms-snow flying beneath their paws. Kataru knocks berries from branches; Akita darts ahead, agile and swift. They howl and roar beneath the moonlight. For a moment- The world is perfect. Past Kataru: I cannot wait to show the others. Past Akita: Go ahead. I want one more run. Past Kataru (teasing): The restlessness of a wolf. She transforms again and runs to a hilltop. She howls at the moon- Then- A shadow passes overhead. Massive wings. A roar splits the sky. Boreal. The great ice dragon dives toward the village. Past Akita: No! She races back. She arrives too late. The village stands silent. Encased in ice. Her leader-frozen mid-shout. Villagers locked in crystal stillness. Only faint heartbeats echo beneath the ice. From above, watching- The Ice Emperor. And beside him- Vex. Satisfied. Akita draws her dagger and charges- A roar interrupts her. Boreal swoops down. Kataru leaps in front of her in bear form, roaring defiantly. Past Akita: Kataru! He slashes at the dragon's wing. Boreal screeches and rises, circling for another strike. Past Akita: Run! Please! She rushes toward him- But the ground freezes beneath her feet. Kataru plants himself between her and the dragon. Ice explodes outward. Snow and frost consume him. When it clears— He stands encased in ice. Preserved in the act of protecting her. Past Akita (voice breaking): No... Kataru... She claws at the snow, tears falling. Above, the Ice Emperor turns away. Vex follows. Boreal beats his wings and vanishes into the storm. They leave her there. Alone. Akita walks through the frozen remains of her home... past silent faces and still hearts... and disappears into the forest. The lantern flickers. Akita's eyes are wet, but steady. Akita (quietly): That was the night the Long Winter began. And the night I lost my brother. The wind hums outside. The lantern burns low. Akita's gaze is fixed on the flame. Akita: I walked out of that village... and I never looked back. Her voice hardens. I will not return until Vex and his master-the Ice Emperor-are brought to justice. Dreamy absorbs the weight of her words. Dreamy (quietly): I had no idea. Akita: Now you do. A heavy silence lingers. Dreamy: The Ice Emperor captured my friend-Handy. I'm going to get him back. He straightens, determination in his eyes. Which means you and I... we're on the same quest. Akita studies him for a long moment. Akita: Not the same. She reaches behind her and draws her dagger. The metal catches the lantern light. Akita: You seek to rescue your friend. She slides the blade slowly from its sheath. The sound is sharp in the quiet. Akita: I seek revenge. The flame flickers between them-two paths, lit by the same fire, but driven by different hearts.

Secret of the wolf (Dreamy pilots the Titan's Mech across the frozen tundra. Red runs alongside, keeping pace as snow whips around them.) Dreamy: They call themselves the Sons of Gargamel. And their symbol... it looked just like my father. (He exhales sharply.) The second I saw it, I thought, Here we go again. (Red facepalms with a paw and lets out a low groan.) Dreamy: Yeah. Worst luck ever. There was this girl—Harumi. I actually believed she liked me. Turns out she was pretending the whole time. All she wanted was to bring my father back from the Departed Realm... so he could destroy everything. (He shakes his head.) Story of my life. (Red suddenly stops and barks sharply. Dreamy looks ahead—dark storm clouds churn over the mountains.) Dreamy: Yeah... that doesn't look good. What do you say we pick up the pace? (Red barks in agreement. The Titan's Mech powers forward toward the Castle of Ice.) (The Blizzard Samurai march into the frozen throne chamber. Grimfax steps forward and bows deeply.) Grimfax: Hail, Emperor of Ice. The Legion of Grimfax returns in triumph. Victory is yours. (Vex claps slowly, the sound echoing through the chamber.) Vex: Hail indeed, brave Grimfax. Tell us of this "great victory." You left with far more Samurai than you have brought back. Grimfax: It is true—the battle was fierce. The villagers have protectors. Strangers who fight bravely. But in the end... we prevailed. Vex: Did you slay these strangers? Grimfax: Better. We snuffed out their fire. Without it, they are lost. (Vex smiles thinly.) Vex: "Snuffed out their fire," you say? (He raises his crystal. Within it, the Hearth Fire burns brightly, elders and Ice Fishers guarding it.) Then why, when I look through my crystal... do I see it still burning? Grimfax: What?! That's impossible- Vex: You bring news of failure and dare to call it victory? My Lord... he has deceived you. (The Ice Emperor rises from his throne. With a blast from his scepter, jagged icicles erupt around Grimfax, trapping him in a cage of frozen spikes.) Grimfax: Wait! Please! Vex: Yes... punish him. Ice Emperor: You will atone for this. (The icicles slowly retract into the floor, leaving Grimfax trembling.) Grimfax: Y-Yes, Ice Emperor. Thank you. Ice Emperor: Leave me. (Grimfax and the Blizzard Samurai rush out.) (Vex approaches the throne.) Vex: And what of the villagers who defy you? Even now, they plot to overthrow your rule. And the stranger in green... he draws closer every day. Ice Emperor: Green? Vex: Enemies surround you. They rise in secret. You must show them your strength. Crush these usurpers before they gather courage. (The Ice Emperor grips his scepter tightly.) Ice Emperor: I will unleash Boreal. Boreal shall punish the village. Vex: And the stranger? (A cold pause fills the chamber.) Ice Emperor: He will meet... another fate. (The camera lingers on the glowing tip of his scepter as frost spreads across the throne room floor.) (The Titan Mech trudges through the snow as Dreamy continues talking. Red runs alongside.) Dreamy: So then this giant stone Colossus shows up, and I'm thinking, "Great. There's no Spinjitzu move for this." (Red facepalms with her paw.) We managed to take it down-all of us together-but trust me, it wasn't easy. (He suddenly stops the mech.) Wait... (He jumps down and kneels near the ice.) What is this? This doesn't look normal. (He reaches toward it. Red barks sharply.) Yeah. Good call. Not touching that. (He scans the horizon.) There's more of it. It's spreading. We need shelter if this storm gets any- (Lightning cracks. Ice spikes erupt from the ground, racing toward them.) Okay. Ice is definitely not supposed to do that. (The frozen mass rises, forming a towering Ice Behemoth.) Dreamy: You hear that, Red? (The Behemoth swings. Dreamy rolls aside. Red leaps up as Dreamy draws the Titan Mech's sword.) The creature slams him back. Red jumps clear as Dreamy slices off its arm—only for blue electricity to spark and pull the limb back into place. Dreamy: Oh, come on! (The Behemoth charges and knocks Dreamy off the cliff. They tumble down the mountain.) Dreamy: Aaaah! (Red races down after him, barking. The Behemoth stomps after them.) Dreamy kicks the monster back and swings again-but it grabs the mech's arm. Frost crawls over the metal. Dreamy: Come on... come on! (He rips the arm free just as the ice seals over it.) Red leaps across the creature's face, distracting it. Dreamy lands a heavy punch. He swings again—the Behemoth tosses the sword aside. The monster kicks Red hard. She crashes into the snow and lies still. Dreamy: Red! (The Behemoth pins Dreamy and turns toward her.) Hey! Get away from him! Pick on someone your own size! ...Okay, you're bigger-but you get it! (He activates the Shuriken Slicer, slicing through its leg. It reattaches.) How many times do I have to beat you before it sticks?! (He notices the frozen lake beneath them.) Wait... (He kicks the Behemoth back and slashes the ice, weakening it. The creature advances. Dreamy grabs a rock and hurls it, weighing the monster down.) The ice cracks. The Behemoth plunges into the freezing water below. Dreamy rushes to Red. Dreamy: Red! Hey-hey, buddy.... (He jumps from the mech and checks her breathing.) You're alive. Just hang on. (He repositions the Titan Mech to block the wind, creating shelter. He lights a lantern and carefully wraps her injured leg.) You're going to be okay. I've got you. We'll be fine. I'II take care of you. (Red whimpers softly. Snow falls. Dreamy drifts to sleep.) Later, Dreamy wakes. Red is gone. In her place stands a girl with white hair and blue markings—wearing the bandage he tied. Dreamy: Whoa! Who are you?! Where's Red?! (He notices the bandage.) That's... that's the one I put on... You're Red? You're a wolf? I mean—a girl? Akita: I... can explain. Dreamy: I'd love to hear that. Akita: My name is Akita. I am a Formling. Dreamy: A shapeshifter? So this whole time you were pretending? Letting me tell you everything? About my dad. About Harumi— Akita: I did not know if you could be trusted. Dreamy: I couldn't be trusted? That's funny, coming from someone who lied about who she was. Akita: I meant no harm. Dreamy: Too late. Harm done. Akita: I never asked for your life story. It is not my fault you talk so much. Dreamy: So much? At least I'm honest! Akita: Are you calling me a liar? Dreamy: Maybe 1 am. Akita: Take it back. Dreamy: No. Akita: I saved your life! Dreamy: And I saved yours! So we're even. I only travel with people I trust. (He grabs the lantern and heads toward the mech.) Akita: Fine. Stay away from me. (She transforms into a wolf and runs ahead.) Dreamy: Hey! I told you not to follow me! (She transforms back, standing in his path.) Akita: I am not yours to command. I go where I choose. And I choose this way. Dreamy: That's where I'm going. Why? Akita: To face the Ice Emperor. Dreamy: So am I. I'm freeing my friend from him. Akita: How? By talking him into surrender? Dreamy: Oh please. What are you going to do-bite him? Akita: Do not test me. (She turns into a wolf and runs-then suddenly stumbles with a whimper.) Dreamy stops. He sighs and walks back. Dreamy: You shouldn't be running on that. (He kneels and carefully rewraps her bandage.) Akita: ...l am sorry I deceived you. Dreamy: I'm sorry, too. Akita: You shared everything about yourself. And I shared nothing. If you will still listen... I will tell you my story. (Dreamy hesitates... then nods.) Snow falls quietly as they stand together, the Castle of Ice looming in the distance. (Back in the Castle of Ice, the Ice Emperor and Vex are at the top of the castle. Their prisoner watches from his cell as the Ice Emperor summons Boreal to attack the Great Lake.)

Krag’s Lament (Snow whips across the ridge as Hefty stands firm. Krag towers before him, roaring so loudly the sound echoes all the way to the Great Lake.) Hefty: That's right, Krag! Maybe you've scared off a bunch of travelers before... but you've never faced a ninja! (He leaps forward, spinning.) Ninja-GO! (Hefty bursts into Spinjitzu, slamming into Krag and knocking the massive beast back against a rocky ledge. Snow and ice explode outward.) I came here for the Traveler's Tree! And no overgrown ape is going to stop me! (Krag snarls, ripping a thick frozen branch from a nearby tree. With a powerful swing-) WHAM! (Hefty is sent flying into a rock wall. The cliffside trembles, and a heavy sheet of snow collapses down on top of him.) (Silence.) (Krag lets out a deep, victorious roar that echoes across the mountains.) (Smurfette and Brainy carefully climb the icy slope, wind biting at their faces.) (Krag's roar thunders again.) Smurfette: That must be the creature those villagers call Krag. Brainy: Yeah... and that is not a friendly sound. Every time I hear a roar like that, it belongs to something big. And toothy. Smurfette: And I'm guessing Hefty just found it. (She climbs faster, worry growing.) This is partly our fault, you know. Brainy: Oh! I had no idea he was that sensitive about losing the Traveler's Tea! Smurfette: Even if he was upset, he shouldn't have run off alone! Brainy: Well, in my defense, hindsight is twenty-twenty! (Another distant rumble shakes the mountain.) Oh, I hope we're not too late! Why didn't we bring weapons?! Smurfette (determined): We're not turning back now. (They push onward toward the roar, snow swirling around them.) (Hefty groans and slowly opens his eyes. He's lying on cold stone.) Hefty: Wha... where am I? (He sits up. The cave is dim, lit by faint blue light reflecting off ice walls. His eyes widen when he sees a massive footprint pressed into the ground.) Oh, no... (He carefully walks deeper into the cave. A low rumble echoes nearby.) Hefty: Ahh! (He dives behind a rock just as Krag lumbers into view, sniffing the air. The creature reaches the spot where Hefty had been-then pauses, confused.) (Suddenly-) Hefty: Ha-yah! (He leaps onto Krag's back. Krag roars and bucks him off, charging forward. Hefty runs-but slips on the ice and smacks into a hanging icicle.) Oof! (Krag approaches. Thinking fast, Hefty slams his fist into the cave floor.) Hefty: Earth Punch! (The shockwave cracks the ceiling. A heavy stalactite crashes down, pinning Krag beneath it.) (Hefty scrambles up a carved stone stairway and bursts into a large chamber.) What the-bunk beds? (He looks around at the oversized furniture.) How many Krags are there? (He scans the room. Nearby are small mounds of earth decorated with wilted flowers.) ...Burial mounds. (His voice softens.) He's the last one. (Behind him, Krag groans, struggling under the fallen stone.) Hefty (turning away): Don't do it. Just keep going. That's the smart move... keep going. (He takes a few steps. Stops.) Oh, darn it, Hefty! (He runs back.) (Krag strains against the rock. Hefty notices a branch with berries clutched in Krag's hand. He plucks one.) Krag (pointing to his mouth, making chewing sounds): Mmm. Om, om. Hefty: Food? You... brought these for me? (Krag nods.) (Hefty pretends to take a bite, quietly slipping the berry into his pouch.) You didn't always live alone here, did you? (Krag nods slowly.) Your family? (Krag turns and growls at something on the cave floor. Hefty walks over and picks up a broken crossbow, rimmed with ice.) Ice Samurai? (Krag growls again.) They hunted you. (Krag lowers his head.) And I thought you were attacking me... (Hefty's eyes widen as he remembers the bridge cracking.) You weren't trying to hurt me. You were trying to save me. (Beat.) Wow. Way to go, Hefty. (He plants his fist against the fallen stone.) Earth Punch! (The rock shifts. Krag pulls himself free.) Friends? (Krag suddenly scoops Hefty up in a crushing hug.) Hefty: Ahh! Okay! I—can't—breathe! Put friend down! (Krag spins in excitement. Hefty's vision blurs.) Getting dizzy—starting to black out— (Krag gently sets him down. Hefty clings to a stalagmite.) Okay... no more squeezing. Or spinning. (He steadies himself.) Listen, this is great. Really. But I came here for something important. I'm looking for a tree. A special one. The Traveler's Tree. Do you know where it is? (Krag scratches his head, confused.) (Hefty holds up the berry branch.) The Traveler's Tree. (Krag's eyes light up. He suddenly bolts out of the cave.) Hefty: Hey! Wait up! Where are you-whoa! (Krag rushes back, scoops Hefty up, and dashes up the mountain.) Easy! Easy! Slow down! (They leap across icy cliffs. Wind howls.) Don't look down... don't look down... (They reach the peak. A lone, weathered tree stands against the sky-its branches bare but alive.) Hefty (in awe): The Traveler's Tree... (He carefully plucks a few glowing leaves.) Thank you, Krag. (He looks up at his new friend.) Because of you... my friends and I might finally have a way home. (Krag smiles proudly and beats his chest—not in anger, but triumph.) (Hefty smiles back.) (Smurfette and Brainy cautiously step inside the icy cave.) Brainy: This is where those creepy footprints led. Smurfette: It's definitely the creature's home. Look at this place. Brainy (staring at a massive wooden frame): That is a really big bed. (Gasps.) How big do you think Krag actually is? Smurfette (kneeling beside a footprint): Pretty big. (Brainy steps into the footprint. It swallows him whole.) Brainy: I suddenly wish Clumsy was here. Smurfette: Someone had to stay behind to protect the village. Brainy: Yes, but who's protecting us? (A heavy shadow stretches across the cave wall. A deep rumble echoes.) Brainy: We should have brought weapons! Smurfette (gasping): We're too late... Brainy: H-h-Hefty... (They duck behind a rock as Krag's silhouette fills the chamber.) Smurfette (angry whisper): That monster. (She clenches her fists.) He's going to pay for that. On three. One... two... three! (They charge. Krag turns just in time-he gently but firmly grabs Smurfette.) Brainy: Smurfette! (Brainy fires an energy zap-) Hefty (off-screen): No! Stop! Don't hurt him! (The blast hits Hefty instead. He tumbles forward.) Smurfette & Brainy: Hefty?! Brainy: We thought that- Smurfette: How are you-?! (Krag steps forward, holding Hefty protectively. He gently nudges Smurfette and Brainy back.) Krag: Friend. (Smurfette and Brainy freeze.) Brainy: Did... did Krag just say "friend"? Hefty: That's what I've been trying to tell you! He's not a monster. He's just... Krag. (Gestures between them.) Krag, this is Smurfette. And Brainy. My friends. (Krag gives a small nod.) Krag helped me find the Traveler's Tree. He helped me get these. (He reveals the leaves.) Brainy (gasping): Are those...? Smurfette: Traveler's Tea leaves? Brainy: But how? Where? Hefty: There's a tree up the cliff. I never would've found it without him. (Smurfette softens.) Smurfette: Krag... I'm sorry we misjudged you. We heard stories and let our fear get the better of us— Hefty: Yeah... I don't think he understands all that. (Smurfette smiles gently.) Smurfette: Friend? (Krag beams-and suddenly pulls all three into a massive hug.) Hefty: Again?! Brainy: Uh... what is he doing? Smurfette: I'm.. about to explode! Hefty: Okay! Down, Krag! Down! Put friends down! (Krag carefully sets them on the ground.) (Hefty dusts himself off.) Hey, Krag... how would you like to come with us? Down the mountain. Krag: Huh? Hefty: Krag come with Hefty. Stay with friends. Okay? (Krag's face lights up. He nods eagerly.) Smurfette: Well... that settles it. (They exit into the cold mountain air. Krag pauses at the entrance and looks back.) Brainy: What's he doing? Hefty: Just give him a second. (Krag walks to a small clearing. He gently plants the berry branch into the ground near the burial mounds, letting out a low, rumbling growl—not angry, but solemn.) Brainy (quietly): Oh. Hefty: He's saying goodbye. (The wind carries the sound softly across the mountain as Krag turns and joins his new friends.)

The Traveler’s Tree (Night. Inside their quarters in the Never-Realm. Hefty tosses and turns in his sleep.) Nightmare (The Land Bounty lies upside down after a violent crash. The ninja hang awkwardly in their seats.) Past Brainy: Ow... okay. That hurt. Past Dreamy: Everyone alright? Past Smurfette: (groans, stretching) I've had better landings. Past Brainy: Now I know how my socks feel in the dryer. Past Clumsy: I think I swallowed my teeth... (They unbuckle. Brainy drops first, crashing into Clumsy. Both groan on the floor.) Hefty (past): Looks like we made it to the Never-Realm. (The Bounty suddenly tilts. Wood creaks ominously.) Past Smurfette: What was that? (Hefty looks out the cracked window-there's nothing but open air beneath them. A cliff.) Hefty: We have to get out of here-now! (He turns-and suddenly the others are outside the Bounty, standing safely on solid ground.) Hefty: Huh? (He prepares to jump out, but Dreamy grabs his arm.) Past Dreamy: Wait! Do you have the Traveler's Tea? So we can get back home? Hefty: What? Now?! (The Bounty tilts even farther.) Past Dreamy: Hefty, we need that tea to get home. After we find Handy. Do you still have it? (Hefty pats his armor... his belt... his pockets.) Hefty: Oh no... Past Dreamy (disappointed): Hefty... hefty... hefty. Past Clumsy (angry): You let us down. Past Brainy (stern, cold): It must still be inside. Once you find it... maybe you can be our friend again. (They nod, judgmental and distant.) Hefty: Whoa-guys! It's about to fall! Past Clumsy: You should've thought of that before you lost the tea! (Dreamy nods in agreement.) Go. (Hefty turns. The Traveler's Tea sits near the front of the tilting Bounty.) Hefty (terrified whisper): Okay... okay... just don't fall... please don't fall... (He inches forward. The ship groans. Wood splinters.) Almost there... (He grabs the tea-) The Bounty gives way. Hefty: AHHHH! Brainy (shaking him): Hefty! Hefty, wake up! (Hefty jolts awake, falling out of his bunk.) Hefty: Whoa-Ahh! Brainy: It's okay! You're okay! (Hefty looks around wildly-then locks onto Brainy.) Hefty (angry): You! Brainy: ...Huh? Hefty: I can't believe you made me go back for the Traveler's Tea! The Bounty fell off a cliff! Brainy: I what—? (He blinks, confused, toothbrush halfway to his mouth.) Clumsy (peeking over the bunk, sleepy): Hefty... buddy... relax. (Yawns.) It was just a nightmare. Hefty (pointing): And you! You said I let you down! (Clumsy's eyes snap open.) Clumsy: I did?! Hefty: Well, it was a mistake, okay?! Sometimes things just happen! Brainy (gentle): Hey... we know. It's okay. (Hefty grabs his armor plate and straps it on.) Hefty: Yeah, right. That's not what you said in my dream. (He storms out, slamming the door.) (Silence.) Clumsy (sighing, lying back down): It's way too early for this. Brainy: Maybe we should go after him? Clumsy: He'll cool off. (Brainy resumes brushing his teeth, thoughtful.) (Outside in the snowy village, Hefty storms past, lost in his thoughts. He slows as he passes Sorla's home. Inside, Sorla is training Smurfette.) Sorla: Ice and water. Different... yet the same. You must remember who you are. Believe in yourself. (Smurfette nods, concentrating. She lifts a sphere of water from a steaming pot. It hovers in the air. She splits it cleanly into two floating orbs.) Sorla (approving) : Good. (The water begins to frost over, thin layers of ice forming.) Smurfette: I can feel it changing... freezing. It's getting harder to control! Sorla: Change is inevitable. It is the nature of all things. Life changes. Seasons change. Yet water remains water. Do not fight the change. Embrace it. Believe in yourself, Smurfette. (Smurfette strains. The ice spreads rapidly, stiffening the spheres. They slip from her control and crash to the floor, shattering.) Smurfette: Ugh! I can't! It's impossible! Maybe I shouldn't have skipped those lessons with Papa Smurt... Sorla: Power answers when your need is greatest. Remember who you are. Try again. (Smurfette closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She lifts another sphere of water. Ice creeps across its surface-but this time she steadies it, keeping the frozen shell flexible. It spins gently in the air.) (Suddenly, the door bursts open.) Hefty: Smurfette! I think the others are— (Startled, Smurfette gasps. The frozen spheres drop and shatter again.) Hefty (wincing): Oh... you were in the middle of something. Great. Another Hefty mistake. (He turns and slams the door behind him.) Smurfette: Hefty, wait! (She starts after him.) Sorla (calmly): Let him walk. (Smurfette hesitates.) Come. Try again. (Smurfette looks at the broken ice on the floor... then at the door... torn between training and her friend.) (Hefty trudges through the snow, still fuming. He kicks a pebble across the ice.) Hefty: Unh! (He pauses when he hears quiet sobbing nearby. He walks over and sees a small child sitting in the snow.) Hey there, kiddo. What's wrong? Child: (Looks up, startled.) Mr. Ninja... (quickly wipes his eyes) Nothing. I'm fine. Hefty: You can call me Hefty. Child: It's just... I was supposed to play with my friends, but I lost their ball. Now they're going to hate me forever! Hefty: Yeah... I get that. Child: How could you? You're a ninja! You're not afraid of anything. Ever. Hefty: Sure I am. I mess up, too. Sometimes it's a small mistake... (rubs the back of his neck) ...that everyone keeps reminding you about. Over and over and over until you just- (He catches himself and forces a grin.) What I mean is... maybe you could find another ball. Or make one. Child: Make one? How? Hefty: I don't know. (He scoops up snow and packs it together.) Out of snow or something? Child: That's a great idea! (The child starts to run off, then stops and turns back.) You look like you've got a problem, too, Mr. Ninja. Hefty: Yeah. I lost something, too. But it's more important than a ball. (He lets the snowball fall from his hand.) And because of me... we might never get back home. Child: Oh! That's not so bad. Hefty: Not so-what? Child: When travelers get stuck, they're supposed to go to the Traveler's Tree. Hefty: Wait- (He rushes over, eyes wide.) Did you say Traveler's Tree? (The child nods.) Oh, please tell me that means what I think it means. Where is it? Is it nearby? Child: Not here. (Points toward the distance.) Up there. (Hefty turns and sees a towering mountain rising into the clouds.) Hefty: ...That narrows it down. (He kneels slightly.) Now go on. Talk to your friends. I bet they're waiting for you. Child: (Smiles and waves while running off.) Bye, Mr. Ninja! Good luck! (Hefty looks back at the mountain, determination slowly replacing doubt. He tightens his fists and starts making his way up the slope.) (High on the frozen mountainside, Boma and Uthaug trudge through the snow with fishing gear slung over their shoulders.) Boma: I told you there wouldn't be any fish up here! Total waste of time! Uthaug: You did not say that. I said that! I specifically said, "How could there be fish on a mountain—" (He slips on the ice and crashes onto his back.) -Whoa! (Boma bursts out laughing. Uthaug starts laughing too... until he slowly begins sliding downhill.) Uthaug (still laughing): Ha ha ha-oh. (He slides faster.) Ohhh no. Boma: Uthaug! Uthaug: Whoa-AHHH! (He vanishes over the edge. Boma rushes forward and looks down. Uthaug dangles from the fishing line, hooked on the cliff.) Boma: Hold on! (He slams his pickaxe into the ice and reaches down.) Grab my hand! (The fishing hook snaps. Boma barely catches Uthaug's wrist. The ice beneath Boma begins to crack.) Boma: Oh no... Uthaug: Pull me up! Quickly! Boma (straining): I can't! You're too heavy! Uthaug (offended): What exactly are you implying?! (The ice shatters. They both fall-only to jolt to a sudden stop.) Boma: Huh? (They look up. Hefty stands above them, gripping the other end of the pickaxe embedded in the rock.) Hefty: Hey, guys. Boma: Boy, are we glad to- (The pickaxe head snaps clean off. They plummet.) Boma & Uthaug: AHHH! Hefty: Unh! (He smashes his Earth Punch into the cliffside, blasting out a rocky ledge below. Boma and Uthaug crash-land safely in a pile of snow.) (The three sit together, eating.) Boma (handing Hefty a fish): Here, friend. Fish turkey. One of the last we saved. Hefty: Fish... turkey? Uthaug: We heard rumors of a mountain stream that wasn't frozen. Boma: But when we got here-solid ice. Like everything else. Uthaug: If not for you, this trip would've been our last. Hefty: Well... if I hadn't gotten lost trying to find the Traveler's Tree, we wouldn't have crossed paths. (Boma and Uthaug exchange a look.) Boma: Oh. You're looking for the Tree? Hefty: Yeah. You know where it is? Boma: Up there! (He points higher up the mountain. Hefty stands, but Boma quickly grabs his arm.) But you cannot go that way. That is the home of Krag! Hefty: Krag? What's a Krag? Boma (dramatic): "What's a Krag?" Oh, nothing important! Just a living nightmare! A towering beast-twenty-five feet tall! Covered in red fur and yellow teeth! Uthaug: Yellow fur. Red teeth. Boma: Red teeth? Where did you hear such nonsense? Uthaug: My great-great-grandfather saw it once. Boma: Well, my great-great-grandmother was standing next to him-and her eyesight was better! Hefty: Okay, hold on. Have either of you actually seen this Krag? Boma: Well... not exactly. Uthaug (at the same time): Uh... no. Hefty: Then how do you know it exists? Boma (whispering): We have heard him. He roars at night. (He covers Hefty's mouth.) Shh. Listen. (Hefty listens carefully. A low growl echoes.) Uthaug (quietly, off to the side): Awoo... growl... roar, roar... Hefty: That's you. Uthaug: What? Hefty: I can see your lips moving. Uthaug: Oh. Sorry. Boma: He is probably asleep. Hefty: I'm not worried about Krag. But the Tree-is that part real? Have you seen it? Uthaug: Not exactly. Boma (simultaneously): Well... no. Hefty: Great. (He stands, determined.) Krag or no Krag, I need to know for sure. I've gotta try. See you around, guys. (Hefty heads up the mountain. Uthaug gives a small, uncertain wave.) (Hefty climbs alone. A shadow moves behind him, unnoticed.) (Through the snowstorm, he sees the faint silhouette of a withered tree on a distant ridge.) Hefty (breathless): The Traveler's Tree... (He runs across a narrow, creaking ice bridge.) (A deep growl rumbles behind him.) Hefty: ...What? (He turns. A massive shape bursts from the snow- Krag charging straight at him.) Hefty: Krag! (The beast slams into him. The ice bridge cracks violently beneath their weight.) Hefty: Unh-AHH! (Back in the village, Smurfette walks through the snow, deep in thought. Suddenly, a distant roar echoes across the mountains.) (She freezes.) Clumsy (approaching) : Hey, Smurfette... have you seen Hefty? Brainy: We thought he just needed some time to cool off, but... it's been a while. Now we're starting to worry. Smurfette: Not since this morning. (Boma and Uthaug rush into the village, out of breath.) Boma: Your friend-he is up there! Brainy: What? Clumsy: Hefty? Uthaug: On the mountain! We tried to stop him! Boma: But he would not listen. He is searching for the Traveler's Tree-up there! (He points toward the towering mountain.) (Another thunderous roar shakes the air, louder this time. The ground trembles slightly. Everyone turns toward the peak in fear.) Brainy: Gumdrops... (Smurfette stares at the mountain, eyes wide with dread.) Smurfette (whispers): Hefty... (The roar echoes again as snow drifts down from the cliffs above.)

The Message (At the edge of the Great Lake, Hefty stands before a group of wide-eyed children. He holds up paper drawings taped to sticks like puppets.) Hefty (as Handy, heroic voice): Put down the staff and surrender, Aspheera! Your days of evil are over! Hefty (as Aspheera, hissing): Never! I will have my revenge-even if it's the last thing I do! Child: (gasps) Hefty: Take that, Papa! Zap! Zap! (He accidentally drops Papa Smurf's stick.) Hefty (as Handy): No! Look out, Papa Smurf! Hefty (as Aspheera): Zap! Zap! АНН! (He clashes the Handy and Aspheera sticks dramatically until Handy's stick snaps in half.) Oh no! (He lifts Smurfette's stick.) Handy is gone! (He drops it and grabs his own stick.) What did you do to my friend?! (As Aspheera, he cackles loudly. The children huddle together as the story grows darker.) Hefty (as Aspheera): I banished him to the one place from which you can never return... the Never-Realm! (One child faints. The rest burst into tears and scatter.) Hefty: Wait! Whoa-hey! It's okay! It's not real! It's just a story! (He waves Aspheera's stick-snap. It breaks.) It's just paper! I drew them! (He chases after the children, then gives up and scratches his head.) (Nearby, Clumsy, Smurfette, and Brainy are working when Hefty trudges back over.) Clumsy: What did you tell them, Hefty? Hefty: Nothing! I was just telling them about Handy and Aspheera-and how she blasted him into the Never-Realm. Smurfette: You think that story's appropriate for little kids? Hefty: They're five to thirteen! That's prime adventure-story age! And besides- (pauses, blurting) Someday when you and I have kids, I'll be an expert storyteller. Smurfette: ...What? Hefty: Nothing! (Clumsy and Brainy slowly exchange a look.) Uthaug (O.S.): Over here! Come quickly! (The ninja, Sorla, and several Ice Fishers rush over.) Boma: What is it? (Uthaug holds up a torn strip of green cloth from Dreamy's robe.) Smurfette (taking it, examining closely): This is Dreamy's. Hefty: Where did you find it? Uthaug: In the snow. Beyond the forest. There were signs of a fight... and an avalanche. (The group falls silent.) Clumsy: What do you think happened? Brainy: You think he's okay? (Smurfette tightens her grip on the fabric.) Smurfette: I hope so... because there's nothing we can do from here. (She looks out across the frozen landscape.) Dreamy is on his own. (Across the frozen wasteland, Dreamy and the wolf follow the faint signal from his tracker.) Dreamy: So yeah... that's my dad. Gargamel. Lord of Destruction. King of Shadows. (He shrugs awkwardly.) I don't usually open up like this to someone I just met, but... you're just a wolf. (He chuckles.) It's actually kinda nice getting it off my chest. (The wolf glances at him, unimpressed.) But I can't keep calling you "Wolf!" You need a real name. Hmm... Rover? (The wolf stares blankly and looks away.) No? Okay. Uh... Buster? Buddy? Nah, doesn't fit. (He notices the red markings on her face.) What about... Red? You know. Because of this. (He points to his cheek. The wolf barks approvingly.) Dreamy (grinning): We're making progress, Red! (The tracker suddenly beeps faster. He flips up the antenna.) The mech's signal is getting stronger. This way! (They trek forward. Snow crunches underfoot.) Dreamy: We're getting close, Red. (Red stops suddenly, ears low. She whimpers.) What's wrong? (She refuses to move forward.) Look, I've gotta go this way. You coming or not? (After a reluctant snort, she follows.) (Moments later, Red steps on something and recoils. Bones scatter in the snow.) Dreamy: What is it- (He freezes.) Bones? What happened here? (A shadow sweeps over them.) What was that?! (An Ice Bird shrieks and dives. Dreamy ducks as it slices through the air.) Run! (They sprint for cover. The bird swoops again, smashing rocks from a cliff. Red dodges falling debris-one rock tumbles toward her.) Dreamy: Red! (He fires an energy blast, shattering the rock midair.) You okay?! (The bird lands, snapping its beak at Dreamy. He leaps away, but the creature grabs his pack and lifts him into the air.) Dreamy: Ahh! Let go of me! (Red races along a ledge and launches herself onto the bird's head. It screeches, blinded, and drops Dreamy.) Dreamy: Red! (She leaps again, catching him mid-fall and landing hard on another rock. The Ice Bird recovers and gives chase.) Dreamy: There! A cave! (The bird's claws swipe, knocking Dreamy off Red. He scrambles to his feet and dives into the cave just as the talons snap shut behind him.) Red! (Red backs into the cave with him. The Ice Bird lands at the entrance, screeching angrily before finally taking off.) (Silence.) Dreamy (breathing hard): Okay... that was too close. (The tracker begins to flicker.) Dreamy: Oh no... (Red growls at something deeper inside the cave.) What is it? Who's there? Show yourself! (He forms a glowing energy ball for light. The cave illuminates-revealing a massive shape.) It's okay, Red. (He steps forward, awestruck.) This is it. (The Titan Mech stands dormant before them.) (Dreamy climbs onto the mech.) Handy? Handy! (He looks into the cockpit. Empty.) Where are you?! (He spots a small recording unit. Tossing the energy ball into the air for light, he jumps down and connects jumper cables to a power box. The screen flickers to life.) Dreamy (hopeful): Handy? (Onscreen, Handy appears.) Handy (recording): Greetings, friend. If you are watching this... then 1 am no longer here. (Red steps closer, whimpering softly.) My name is Handy. I am a stranger in this land, trying to find my way home. (He sighs.) It's difficult to keep track of the days here. It feels like I've been here a very long time. But I refuse to give up hope- (The screen bursts into static.) Dreamy: No-no, no, no! (He shakes the power box. Sparks flicker. The screen stabilizes, Handy's image returning.) (The recording stabilizes. Handy appears on screen, tired but determined.) Handy (recording): The mech's processing unit is badly damaged. I may be able to repair it, but it requires running a full diagnostic. (Static crackles.) As a precaution, I've redirected the auxiliary energy core Lily designed-just in case the Titan Mech fails to restart. (The image flickers.) I will stand at a safe distance while it powers up. If it overloads... I should be far enough away. (Static surges again.) Dreamy: Come on... come on! (He pounds on the power box, desperate.) Handy (recording, voice softer now): But if something goes wrong... and this recording is found one day... please relay this message. (As his voice continues, we see glimpses of events unfolding across Ninjago and the Never-Realm.) This is the final log of Handy-Master of Ice. Son of Papa Smurf. (In the Never-Realm, Papa Smurf pauses mid-meditation and slowly looks upward, as if sensing something.) I came here to protect those who could not protect themselves. (In the village, Smurfette, Clumsy, and Brainy work together repairing damaged homes, while Hefty awkwardly tries to calm the frightened children.) I have done everything I could to fulfill that purpose. I have no regrets. (In Ninjago City, Antonia, Nelson, and the other paperboys ride past on their bikes, tossing newspapers into the early morning light.) I have the best friends anyone could ever ask for. (Cut to Lily sitting quietly on her bed. She holds a photo of herself and Handy, her fingers tightening around it. Storm and Blossom sit beside her, wrapping her in a gentle hug.) Lily... I love you. (A long pause. His expression is calm.) Farewell. (The screen dissolves into static.) Dreamy: ...Handy? (His voice cracks. He wipes his eyes quickly. Red whimpers beside him and nudges his hand.) (Dreamy walks toward the silent Titan Mech, resting his palm against its cold metal.) I may not be half the builder you are, Handy... ..but I'm twice as stubborn. (He looks up with determination.) And I will get this thing working-if it's the last thing | do. That's a promise. (He glances at Red.) Right? You with me? (Red tilts her head.) Yeah. I'll take that as a yes. (Montage of Dreamy working.) He channels his Energy into exposed wiring, fusing broken circuits. He tightens loose panels, reconnects shattered components, and presses control switches. Dreamy: Come on... come on... (He lifts the hood section and examines the core.) Battery's dead. No wonder he couldn't fix it. (He pauses, thinking.) I wonder... (He connects jumper cables to the drained battery and steps back.) Here goes nothing. (He concentrates. Energy surges from his hands into the cables. The battery flickers... hums... then glows.) (The mech's eyes ignite with light.) Dreamy (grinning): Yes! I did it! (Outside the cave, the Ice Bird lifts its head at the sound of heavy mechanical footsteps.) (Dreamy bursts out of the cave in the Titan Mech.) Dreamy: Want some of me?! Come and get it, you overgrown parakeet! (The Ice Bird screeches and dives, slamming into the mech's arm and clawing at it.) Dreamy: Oh no you don't! (He presses a control. The mech grabs the bird mid-flight. It thrashes and scratches at the metal.) I'm trying not to hurt you-but I hope this stings a little! (The mech swings the bird and slams it against a rocky cliff. Snow explodes outward. The wolf watches anxiously.) Dreamy: Sinking in yet? I am not your next meal! (He slices a nearby boulder in half as a warning. The Ice Bird screeches fearfully and retreats into the sky.) (Silence returns.) Dreamy (exhaling): It's safe. You can come out. (Red slowly steps forward from behind the rocks.) Come on. Hop aboard. (He lowers the mech's hand. Red sniffs it cautiously.) It won't hurt you. I promise. We'll move a lot faster this way. (After a moment, she leaps onto the mech's hand. Dreamy carefully lifts her to the cockpit platform.) Ready, pal? (Red barks confidently.) Here we go. (The Titan Mech powers forward across the frozen landscape.) We're coming, Handy. We're coming.

The Absolute Worst (Inside Kryptarium Prison, two guards stand near the security desk, tugging a newspaper back and forth.) Guard #1: Hey! Quit hogging it! I need my daily funnies. Guard #2: Your comics can wait. Look at this—one theory says the ninja disappeared because they've gone searching for handy. Guard #1: Ohhh, so that's why no one's seen them for— (Suddenly, Noble rushes in, clamps a hand over Guard #1's mouth, and slaps the newspaper out of their hands.) Noble: Are you two out of your minds?! Don't talk about that on duty! (He grabs Guard #2 by the collar and shakes him.) Do you have any idea what happens if the prisoners hear the ninja are missing? Guard #2: Uh... they'd... be interested? Noble: They'd start getting ideas! (He glances around, lowers his voice.) Ideas about breaking out. Especially them. (He gestures toward the maximum-security wing, where dangerous inmates-including Captain Soto, Killow, and Ultra Violet-are held.) Guards: Sorry, Warden. (A gust of wind from a vent sends the fallen newspaper skittering across the floor... sliding through the bars of a cell and smacking straight into The Mechanic's face.) The Mechanic: What the ninblooey—?! (He lowers the paper and scans the headline. His eyes widen.) The ninja are... gone? (He hurries over to Ultra Violet, who is calmly filing her nails.) Ultra Violet, you're gonna want to see this. Ultra Violet: This better be good. You're interrupting my "me" time. (He shows her the front page. She reads it... then smirks.) Ultra Violet: So it's true. The Mechanic: If the ninja are out of the picture, this might be our shot. (Ultra Violet slowly crumples the newspaper in her fist.) Ultra Violet: Tonight. After lights out. (She tosses the crumpled paper back to him.) (Later that night inside Kryptarium Prison...) Guard #2: Lights out! Cellblock One! (Guard #1 flips the switch. The lights snap off. Footsteps fade down the corridor.) (Silence.) (Inside his cell, The Mechanic slowly sits up. With a quiet click, he detaches his robo-arm.) (The mechanical arm crawls spider-like across the floor, slips through the bars, and sneaks up to a dozing guard. With delicate precision, it lifts the key ring.) (The arm scuttles back and unlocks The Mechanic's cell. The door creaks open.) The Mechanic: Heh. Still got it. (He tiptoes to Ultra Violet's cell and unlocks it.) Ultra Violet: Took you long enough. (She pulls down a large poster of Lou hanging on the wall. Behind it—a tunnel.) Ultra Violet: Come on. (They slip through. The poster falls neatly back into place.) (Crawling through the narrow passage.) Ultra Violet: With the ninja out of the picture, we're practically home free. The Mechanic: Heh! Wonder what happened to 'em. Ultra Violet: Whatever it is, I hope it's something terrible. (They both snicker.) Especially Handy. He's the worst of the bunch. (She kicks open a rusted grate and drops into the sewer below.) The Mechanic: Handy? You're kidding! He barely qualifies as a ninja. Now Smurfette-she's the real nightmare. Voice (echoing in the sewer): Handy and Smurfette are like warm hugs compared to the painful force and skill of Brainy. Brainy is the worst. (They spin around. A man in bird-themed attire steps from the shadows.) The Mechanic: Who the heck are you? Man: (Scoffs dramatically.) Fugi-Dove. Ultra Violet: ...Did you just say "Fugitive"? Fugi-Dove: Fugi-Dove. The notorious villain. The scourge of Ninjago City. (They stare at him blankly.) ...Right. Anyway. Is this a private escape, or can anyone join? The Mechanic: Fine, bird guy. You're in. But let's get one thing straight—Brainy is not the worst ninja. Ultra Violet: Oh, please. It's definitely Handy. Did I ever tell you what he did during our last battle? The Sons of Gargamel and I were facing Dreamy and that annoying —but nowhere near as awful as Handy—Smurfette- (They continue bickering as they slosh deeper into the sewer tunnels.) (In the sewer, Ultra Violet dramatically gestures as the scene shifts into her over-the-top fantasy.) Fantasy Dreamy & Smurfette: (They tremble, backing away.) Please, Ultra Violet! Don't hurt us! Ultra Violet (narrating): The weak ninja cowered before me. Victory was within my grasp. Nothing could stop— (A loud ROAR interrupts. Fantasy Handy zooms in piloting a high-tech jet, missiles locking on.) Ultra Violet: -me. (Missiles fire. She flips out of the way, sprinting straight up the side of a skyscraper. With a leap, she lands on the jet mid-flight. They clash in an exaggerated slow-motion battle.) Fugi-Dove (O.S.): Whoa, whoa, whoa-hold on! (The entire fantasy FREEZES like a paused video. Fugi-Dove casually walks into the frozen scene, inspecting it.) Fugi-Dove: That's not what I heard. I heard Handy had a dragon. Not a jet. And I heard he froze you instantly. No fight. No dramatic rooftop gymnastics. (The fantasy unfreezes. Ultra Violet storms up to him.) Ultra Violet: Wrong! Whoever told you that is a liar! I had Handy completely outmatched. (Fugi-Dove quickly scoots out of frame as the fantasy resumes.) Ultra Violet (narrating): But then he pulled some dirty robot trick. (Fantasy Handy suddenly transforms-mechanical armor snapping into place. He grabs Ultra Violet midair and pins her down. His eyes glow icy blue.) Fugi-Dove (popping back in): Wait, wait, wait. You're sure that's how it happened? Ultra Violet: Were you there? Because I don't remember you being there! (He vanishes again.) The Mechanic: I believe you. Please, continue. (Handy's eyes flash brighter. Ice rapidly spreads over Ultra Violet until she's completely encased in a solid block.) Ultra Violet (voice-over as she freezes): He cheated! (Handy kicks the frozen block off the jet. It plummets dramatically into the ocean below.) (Fantasy shatters back to the sewer reality.) Ultra Violet: And that is why Handy is the worst ninja of them all! (The Mechanic nods thoughtfully.) (The Mechanic nods thoughtfully.) The Mechanic: Okay... that is pretty bad. Fugi-Dove: Still think Brainy's worse. (Ultra Violet glares at him.) The Mechanic: Heh. Sounds rough. But trust me-Smurfette is worse. Way worse. Let me tell you what happened. (The sewer fades into another over-the-top fantasy sequence.) The Mechanic (narrating): I was test-driving my newly built Ultimate Noodle Truck of Crime. (Fantasy Mechanic cruises through the city in a flashy, over-armed food truck with "TOTALLY REAL NOODLES" painted on the side. He casually uses a gadget arm to swipe jewels from a storefront display.) When out of nowhere, that nosy, do-gooder, judgey Smurfette shows up. (Fantasy Smurfette roars in on her motorcycle, skidding to a stop when she spots him.) Fantasy Smurfette: Oh no you don't! (She speeds toward him. The Mechanic fires a barrage of tiny missiles. She expertly weaves between them, launching off a ramp and landing on top of the truck as her motorcycle explodes in slow motion behind her.) Fantasy Mechanic: Hey! That's private property! (Smurfette ignites a laser cutter and slices a perfect circle through the windshield. She yanks him out by the collar.) Fantasy Smurfette: You're going away for theft... and false advertising. Fantasy Mechanic: False advertising?! Fantasy Smurfette: This truck doesn't even sell noodles, does it? (leans closer) Does it?! (He blasts free with his robo-arm and rockets backward, clutching the stolen jewelry.) Fantasy Mechanic: You'll never catch me! (Smurfette drops to the street, kicks open a fire hydrant, and a massive spray of water slams into him midair, short-circuiting his boosters.) Fantasy Smurfette: I like your vehicle. It's actually cooler than mine. (smiles) I think I'll take it. Without asking. (She hops into the noodle truck and drives off triumphantly.) (Fantasy dissolves. Back in the sewer.) Ultra Violet: Smurfette stole your noodle truck? The Mechanic: Yeah! Can you believe that? Ultra Violet: And she said, "I think I'll take it without asking"? Fugi-Dove: That... doesn't really sound like Smurfette. The Mechanic: Sorry—who are you again? Fugi-Dove (offended): Fugi-Dove! My cry fills the night! (He flaps his arms dramatically and coos twice.) Anyway, we should probably keep moving. (He notices they've already started walking away.) Hey! Wait up! And while we're escaping, I'II explain why Brainy is actually the worst ninja of all. (Ultra Violet groans as they disappear deeper into the tunnels.) (Fugi-Dove hustles to catch up with Ultra Violet and The Mechanic.) Fugi-Dove: It was the biggest score of my life. (The sewer melts into another fantasy sequence.) Fantasy Fugi-Dove (narrating proudly): A perfect heist. The kind hard-working criminals like us only dream about. (Fantasy Fugi-Dove smashes through the roof of a bank, soaring into the sky with sacks of money clutched in each talon.) I was unstoppable. Untouchable. (Up ahead, three hang gliders drift into view-Dreamy, Hefty, and Clumsy.) Fantasy Dreamy: Oh no! Look—it's the infamous Fugi-Dove! Fantasy Hefty: Our frequent-and extremely well-known—archenemy! Fantasy Clumsy: Even with all three of us... do you think we stand a chance? (Fantasy Fugi-Dove flicks his wings. Razor-sharp feathers slice clean holes through their gliders. The ninja scream as they spiral downward.) Fantasy Dreamy: We never should have challenged the claws of Fugi-Dove! Fugi-Dove (narrating) : I was home free. (A sudden crack of thunder. Fantasy Fugi-Dove turns.) Fantasy Brainy: Fugi-Dove... we meet again. (Brainy stands heroically atop a massive pillar of crackling lightning.) The Mechanic (snapping out of it): Okay, stop. Hold on. The Blue Ninja does not ride lightning bolts. Fugi-Dove: Well... he did that day. Ultra Violet: Actually, I'm kind of enjoying this. Go on. (Fantasy resumes.) Fantasy Fugi-Dove: I will not bow to your tyranny! You do not frighten Fugi-Dove! Fantasy Brainy: (laughs nobly) I admire your courage. In another time-another place-we might have been allies. But today... justice must be served. Ninja-ukin! (He unleashes a massive lightning beam.) Fantasy Brainy: Forgive me... old nemesis. (Brainy swoops in, grabs both Fugi-Dove and the money sacks, and flies away as lightning crackles dramatically.) (Fantasy Fugi-Dove coos helplessly, pretending to be electrocuted.) (Fantasy collapses. Back in the sewer.) Ultra Violet: Have you ever even seen a ninja? Lightning rope? That's not how lightning works—and it's definitely not how rope works. Fugi-Dove: That's how it happened! Ultra Violet: ...Whatever. (She suddenly gasps.) The Mechanic: Hey-look. Light. Ultra Violet: Finally. I don't think I could survive another story. (They head toward the glowing exit.) (The trio climb out of the sewer tunnel into the cool night air of Ninjago City.) The Mechanic: We made it! Fugi-Dove: At last! I am no longer caged! (He spins dramatically and coos into the sky.) Ultra Violet: You know what I'm gonna do first? (She cracks her knuckles.) Crimes. So many crimes. I have missed crimes. And not only that-now I can finally defeat my rival, Storm. Don't get me wrong, I hate Handy... but Storm? I really hate her. Fugi-Dove: And besides, I think we can all agree Blossom is the best. The Mechanic: Whoa, whoa-hold on. I don't agree. Blossom's just... sweet. Lily is clearly the best. Fugi-Dove: No way. I refuse to believe that. Ultra Violet: We are not arguing about this. And besides-Storm is the best. Even if I hate her. Fugi-Dove & The Mechanic: What?! (A massive SHADOW looms over them. A towering Samurai Mech lands with a heavy metallic thud.) (Spotlights flare on.) Lily (through mech speakers): I thought my ground-penetrating radar detected unusual subterranean activity. (Mechanical cables shoot out, instantly tying the three villains up.) Now to return you to Kryptarium Prison, where you belong. The Mechanic (struggling): Okay! I'm revising my opinion! Samurai X is the worst! Ultra Violet: Absolutely! Fugi-Dove: Agreed. (He coos sadly.) Lily: ...Who are you? Fugi-Dove (offended): Oh, come on. I'm Fugi-Dove. (Inside the mech, Lily scans through her criminal database.) Lily: I have no record of a "Fugi-Dove." Fugi-Dove: Nothing? Impossible! I'm Fugi-Dove! My cry fills the ni (The mech's hand scoops him up mid-sentence.) Fugi-Dove: -ight! (He coos helplessly as the mech rockets into the sky with all three captives.)

An Unlikely Ally (Smurfette and Brainy are on the roof of Sorla's home, hammering boards into place. Snow blows across the shingles.) Smurfette: (Shivering.) Wow... it is freezing up here. Brainy: (Shivering harder.) Tell me about it. My hands are completely numb. I can barely feel my- (He drops the hammer. It slides down the roof.) —fingers. Huh? Wha—whoa! (Brainy slips and slides off the roof.) Smurfette: Brainy! (Below, Hefty is shoveling snow when the hammer lands beside him with a soft thud.) Hefty: Huh? (He looks up just as Brainy falls into the snow pile in front of him.) Brainy: Aah! (He lands safely in the snow.) Hefty: Brainy? Do you mind? I'm trying to work here. Smurfette: Brainy! Are you okay? (Hefty hauls Brainy upright.) Brainy: Oh, I'm fine. Just wonderful. Aside from being frozen solid. (Sighs.) I'm getting tired of all this ice and snow... I just miss Blossom. I miss her hugs... her warmth. (Smurfette jumps down from the roof to join them.) Smurfette: Don't worry. I miss them too. Hefty: Hey, Smurfette? Ice is just frozen water, right? So why can't you use your Elemental Powers and clear all this snow for us? Smurfette: I can't control it when it's frozen. It won't respond. Hefty: Aw, that's a bummer. You could've been really useful. (Brainy subtly gestures for Hefty to stop talking.) Hefty: I mean, wouldn't it be awesome? Just wave your hands-presto! Job done! That'd save us hours of slow, boring, back-breaking work. (Smurfette quietly forms a snowball.) Hefty: Guess we'll just have to do it the slow, boring, back-breaking- (Smurfette nails him with the snowball.) Hefty: Ow! Hey! Brainy: (Chuckles.) Speaking of slow... where's Clumsy? (Nearby, three children rush toward Clumsy, who is lounging in a hammock, holding fish on sticks over a small flame.) Children: Fire Maker! Fire Maker! Child #1: Make mine! Child #2: Cook mine too! Child #3: Me next! Me next! Clumsy: Whoa, okay! One at a time! (He happily roasts their fish. The kids run off cheering.) Child #2: You were right! Look at this! Clumsy: Hey! There's more where that came from! Fire Maker's got plenty of miracles! (Smurfette approaches, arms folded.) Smurfette: "Fire Maker has more miracles?" Clumsy: (Shrugs.) Eh. Just keeping the kids entertained. Smurfette: As long as you're not overdoing it. Clumsy: Oh no, I feel great! Honestly, this place is kinda growing on me. It's not so bad. (He leans back in the hammock, relaxing.) Brainy: (Exchanges a look with Hefty, playing along.) Well... that's good. That's what this is all about, right? Hefty: Oh yeah. Rest and relaxation. Clumsy: It is? Smurfette: No. It isn't! (She grabs the hammock and yanks it hard. Clumsy flips out and lands face-first in the snow.) Clumsy: Oof! (Smurfette storms off.) Hefty: (Laughing.) Hahaha! Brainy: ...Okay, maybe not relaxation. Clumsy: Hey! (Smurfette storms off, breathing hard. She rounds a bend along the riverbank and nearly runs into Sorla.) Sorla: What troubles you, Smurfette? Smurfette: (Forces a smile.) Nothing. I'm happy for Clumsy. His powers are coming back, and that's... great. It's just... Sorla: Just what? Smurfette: (Sighs.) My powers don't work here. In this place, I can't do anything. Sorla: You are a Water Elemental, are you not? Smurfette: Yes. But the water here is frozen. I can't control ice. They're different elements. Sorla: Different... yet one. There can be no ice without water. Smurfette: It doesn't listen to me. Sorla: Then perhaps... you must speak more clearly. (Sorla chuckles softly and walks away, leaving Smurfette staring at the frozen river.) (Smurfette kneels beside the ice and focuses. An icicle trembles slightly... then stops.) Smurfette: Come on... (Nothing.) Smurfette: Ugh! Stubborn piece of ice! (She kicks the side of a nearby house. Snow cascades down on her.) Smurfette: Oh, come on! (More snow falls.) Smurfette: That's it! I hate ice! I hate this cold! I hate this place-! (She draws back to kick again.) Dreamy: Smurfette? You okay? (She freezes, embarrassed.) Smurfette: It's nothing. I just... feel useless without my powers. (Dreamy carefully steps onto the frozen river-then immediately slips.) Dreamy: Whoa-! (Smurfette grabs him and hauls him up the bank.) Dreamy: Thanks. And for the record? You're not useless. Actually... I came to talk to you. Smurfette: About what? Dreamy: I need you to stay here. Protect the village. If the Blizzard Samurai return, these people will need you. Smurfette: What about you? Dreamy: I'm leaving. For a while. Smurfette: You're going after Handy. (Beat.) I hope you're not planning on going alone. We're coming with you. Dreamy: I've thought about it. There are only two ways into that castle-force or stealth. And force won't work. You've seen how powerful the Ice Emperor is. (In the background, Hefty pushes the hammock too hard. Brainy and Clumsy go flying. Hefty crashes backward into the snow.) Hefty: Ahh! Clumsy: Oof! Brainy: Not again! (Dreamy gestures subtly toward the chaos.) Dreamy: One ninja slipping through unnoticed has a better chance than five. And the Ice Emperor will be watching you—not me. He'll send more Samurai here. Smurfette: So we draw his attention... while you sneak in and find Handy. Dreamy: Exactly. Smurfette: It's risky. Dreamy: It is. Smurfette: It could work. Dreamy: It will work. Trust me. (The Ice Fishers and the ninja gather at the edge of the village. Snow drifts quietly through the air as Dreamy prepares to leave.) Smurfette: (Steps forward, placing something in his hand.) At least take this. (She reveals a small tracker.) It's linked to the mech. If you get close enough, it'll start beeping. Dreamy: (Nods.) Okay. Thanks. Brainy: (Hands Dreamy a wrapped bundle.) And you'll need this. Dreamy: What is it? Brainy: Dried fish. Trust me-it's not as bad as it sounds. Kind of like jerky. Dreamy: (Smiles faintly.) I'll take your word for it. Clumsy: (Holds up a small flame in his palm.) Want me to warm it up for you? (Smurfette shoots him a look.) Dreamy: No, it's fine. I'll save it for later. Clumsy: (Gives a sheepish grin as the flame flickers out.) Good... 'cause I'm kinda wiped. My powers aren't fully back yet. Hefty: (Puts a firm hand on Dreamy's shoulder.) Watch your back out there. (Brainy gives an awkward but sincere wave.) Brainy: And, uh... try not to slip off any frozen cliffs. Dreamy: I'll do my best. (He looks at each of them—his team, his friends-then pulls up his hood.) Dreamy: Protect the village. Smurfette: Bring Handy home. (Dreamy nods once... then turns and walks toward the mountains, his figure slowly fading into the white horizon as the others watch in silence.) (Inside the frozen halls of the Castle of Ice, blue light reflects off jagged crystal walls. General Vex stands before his crystal, watching Dreamy disappear into the snowy distance.) Vex: (Cold smile.) So... one chooses the path of shadows. (The image fades. Vex turns and walks down a narrow corridor of ice. He stops at a heavy cell door rimmed with frost. With a gesture, it creaks open.) Vex: You may be interested to know... you will not remain alone much longer. (Inside the dim cell, a prisoner sits in chains, silent.) A stranger from another realm approaches. Clad entirely in green. Whoever he is, he will fail—as all who defy the Ice Emperor do. (Vex steps closer, voice lowering.) But... if you were to reconsider your position... if you joined us... perhaps his life could be spared. A warrior of your skill would be... most valuable. (He opens a small hatch in the door and slides in a plate of food.) The Emperor rewards those he favors. What say you- (The plate suddenly flies back through the hatch. Vex barely ducks as it shatters against the wall.) Vex: (Snarls.) Stubborn... to the end. (He straightens, regaining composure.) Very well. The green one will perish... and you will watch hope freeze once more. (He slams the hatch shut and walks away, the corridor echoing with his footsteps as the cell door seals in icy silence.) (Dreamy treks along the frozen path toward the distant Castle of Ice. The wind howls through the trees.) (He pauses to drink from his flask and checks the map Sorla gave him. Behind him, a white wolf with three tails watches silently from the trees... then vanishes.) (Dreamy turns suddenly.) Dreamy: ...Hello? (Nothing. He shakes it off and continues—until two Frost Wolves leap from the brush.) Dreamy: Gah! (One lunges-but the white wolf crashes into it midair, knocking it aside. The second wolf yelps and both flee into the forest.) Dreamy: (Stunned.) Wow... (He studies the white wolf, noticing the three tails.) I've never seen a wolf like you before. (The wolf growls softly.) What do you want? If you're thinking about attacking, don't. I fight back. (The wolf whimpers instead. Dreamy hesitates, then lowers his sword.) You hungry? (He tosses the dried fish toward her.) You can have that. Truce? (The wolf grabs it. Dreamy nods once and continues walking.) (He reaches the narrow mountain pass.) Dreamy: Mala-Wojira... "If you make a sound, Wojira's wrath will strike you down." Okay. No sound. Quiet as a breeze. (He takes a step—then sneezes. Snow tumbles down behind him.) Dreamy: ...Right. Quiet. (He slows his breathing. His steps become lighter. Snow barely shifts as he moves.) (Suddenly-three Blizzard Samurai emerge from the fog.) Dreamy: Huh?! (He fires energy blasts, knocking two down. The third tackles him.) Dreamy: Gah! (Ice creeps over his arms as they try to freeze him. He kicks free and spins into Spinjitzu-but more Samurai pile on, pinning him.) (Through the struggle, he glances at the unstable cliffs.) Dreamy: Wojira's wrath... wait—Wojira's wrath! (He slams the ground. A thunderous avalanche roars down the pass, swallowing the Samurai in snow. Dreamy barely escapes the collapse.) (Later. Silence.) (Dreamy coughs, buried in snow. He pulls himself free and sees the three-tailed white wolf standing nearby.) Dreamy: You... saved me again. (He gives a tired smile.) My name's Dreamy. ...What am I doing? You can't understand me. (The wolf nudges him and bounds ahead.) It's getting colder. We need shelter. (The storm clears slightly-and a familiar shape appears through the snow.) Dreamy: (Gasps.) No way... The Land Bounty! (He rushes aboard and scrambles to the controls.) Please... work... (He flips switches. Sparks flicker. Systems fail.) Scopes are down. Systems fried. This is hopeless... (He rummages through a compartment, finding a lantern and a small aid kit. He sits heavily.) Even if I rescue Handy... we still don't have a way home. I hope Storm, Blossom, and Lily found something... because I don't know how we're getting back. (He lowers his head.) What was I thinking? I can't do this alone. (The wolf pads inside and curls up nearby.) Dreamy: Easy for you to say. You're a wolf. (He sighs.) Tomorrow... I go back to the village. We make a new plan. (They fall asleep as the wind dies down.) (Beep. Beep. Beep.) (The wolf's ears perk up. Dreamy stirs.) Dreamy: Huh? (The beeping grows louder. He grabs the tracker Smurfette gave him.) The mech? Wait— the mech! (He scrambles to his feet.) If it's still operational... that gives us a fighting chance against the Ice Emperor. (He looks at the wolf.) What do you say? You in? (She barks excitedly.) Dreamy: (Grinning for the first time.) Awesome. Hang on, Handy. Here we come.

Fire Maker (Uthaug and Boma trudge back toward the Great Lake, each carrying bundles of freshly caught fish.) Uthaug: Do you think the strangers eat fish? Boma: Who? Uthaug: You know... the ones from Nimblago. Boma: (Sighs) It's not Nimblago. It's Ningabo. Uthaug: That's not what they said. Boma: Honestly, Uthaug, whose hearing is better? Yours or- (They both freeze. The distant, rhythmic march of armored footsteps echoes through the mountain pass.) Boma: Listen... do you hear that? Uthaug: (Eyes widen) Blizzard Samurai. Heading this way! Boma: We have to warn the village! (They drop their argument and sprint toward the Great Lake, fish flopping in their arms. Birds scatter from the trees. Nearby, Grimfax looks up briefly... then continues on in silence.) Back at the Village (Inside a cabin, Sorla spreads a worn map before Dreamy.) Sorla: Your friend, Handy, is held here... in the Ice Emperor's castle. There are only two paths through the mountains. This one- (points) -is the safest. Dreamy: A mountain pass? Sorla: In the Old Tongue, it is called Mala-Wojira. Dreamy: Mala-Wojira? Sorla: Wojira's Wrath. You must be careful there. You cannot speak. You cannot whisper. Even your footsteps must be softer than falling snow. Dreamy: Why? (Sorla demonstrates-slamming her staff lightly against the floor. A rumbling vibration echoes ominously.) Sorla: Because if you make a sound... Wojira will answer. Dreamy: (Quick nod) Okay. Quiet it is. (He rolls up the map and steps outside to rejoin the others.) Outside Dreamy: Any luck? Smurfette: Nothing. The signal keeps cutting in and out. Dreamy: Maybe the cold's interfering? Smurfette: It shouldn't. The mech had a brand-new battery. It's like something's weakening the signal. (They turn to see Clumsy clomping around in snowshoes.) Clumsy: (Panting, excited) Guys! You have to try these! You can actually walk on top of the snow! Storm would've loved this! Hefty: ...I think that's the whole idea. Brainy: What marvel of innovation will they invent next? (Suddenly-) Uthaug (off-screen): Alarm! Alarm! (The Ice Fishers rush toward them as Uthaug and Boma burst into the village.) Boma: Blizzard Samurai! On the march! Uthaug: We saw them coming through the pass! Boma: I saw them first. Uthaug: I heard them first. Your hearing's not as good as- Boma: Not now! (Sorla steps forward, grave.) Sorla: Boma. Uthaug. You are certain? (They exchange a look... then nod.) Sorla: Gather the elders. There is no time. (In the distance, the faint metallic rhythm of marching grows louder. (Inside Sorla's home, the Elders and the ninja gather around the Hearth Fire. The wind howls outside. The Elders argue in worried whispers.) Elder #1: The pass is only a few hours away. What are we to do? Elder #2: We must hide. Abandon the village before they arrive. Elder #3: And leave the Fire behind? Have you lost your senses? Elder #1: What choice do we have? We could take shelter with the Formlings. Elder #2: I will not go there! Not after what happened. That place is cursed! (The Elders break into heated argument again.) Another Elder: It may be our only option! Sorla: Enough! We cannot abandon the Fire. The Fire is life. We must protect it. Clumsy: I don't really understand... couldn't you just light another one? With matches or something? (The Elders murmur at his words.) Sorla: You are new to our realm. You do not know. The winters have grown too cold. It is impossible to spark a new flame. (She places another log onto the Hearth Fire.) This fire has burned for decades. We feed it wood every morning... and every night. Clumsy: I'm sorry. I didn't know. Sorla: The Fire is life. If the Fire dies... so do we. Dreamy: What if we moved it? Carried it in lanterns or torches? Sorla: The risk is too great. The Hearth Fire is the heart of our people. It keeps the darkness away. It gives us hope. If it goes out... our hope goes with it. No. We stay. We protect it. We fight. Dreamy: Then we fight with you. (The Elders bow slightly, whispering in awe.) Elders: Together... yes. Together. Sorla: Go. Prepare yourselves. (The Elders and the ninja head out to prepare. Clumsy lingers behind by the fire.) Sorla: Do not fear for us, Clumsy. All will be well. Clumsy: | just... wish I still had my powers. I was the Master of Fire. I could've made a new flame. Just like that. (He snaps his fingers weakly. Nothing happens.) But now... I can't. Sorla: Your power is gone? Clumsy: A serpent sorceress named Aspheera stole it. That was the one thing I was good at. Now it's gone. (He looks down.) Now I just feel like... I'm nothing special. Just the Smurf who trips over his own feet. Sorla: (Smiles gently.) Elemental power comes from within—like courage. Sometimes it wanes. Sometimes it grows quiet. But what is truly yours cannot be stolen. Clumsy: It really feels stolen. Sorla: Fire does not cease to exist when the flame goes out. It waits... for the right moment to burn again. And you, Clumsy... are more than your power. More than your name. I see courage in you already. (Clumsy stares into the Hearth Fire, the reflection flickering in his eyes.) (The Ice Fishers brace themselves along the wooden defenses. Snow whips through the air as they stand watch.) Hefty: (Yawns.) This waiting is the worst part. Dreamy: (Scanning the treeline-suddenly sees movement.) Look out! (Arrows whistle through the air. Everyone ducks as the Blizzard Samurai step from the shadows.) Dreamy: They're here! This is it! (The Ice Fishers rush to their positions.) Boma: There are so many... (Grimfax raises his weapon. The Blizzard Samurai charge.) Dreamy: We can take them! Hefty: Yeah! Let's bring it! Uthaug: Bring what? Hefty: "It!" You know— "Let's rock!" "Throw down!" "Brawl!" (Punches the air.) Uthaug: I do not understand any of those words. Hefty: Never mind. Just follow my lead! (Hefty flips on his hood and slams his fists into the ground, summoning an Earth Punch that sends several Samurai flying.) (Three Blizzard Archers fire into the air. Smurfette spins her spear with precision, deflecting the arrows.) Smurfette: You'll have to aim better than that! (Brainy unleashes lightning, striking a group of Samurai. Some shatter into chunks of ice.) Brainy: Are these guys made of ice?! (An Ice Fisher fires an arrow, shattering a Blizzard Archer.) Hefty: Some are frozen warriors-others are just solid ice! (More Samurai charge through the spike traps and scale the forts with ladders.) Dreamy: Ha-ahh! (He spins into Spinjitzu, knocking several Samurai off the walls.) Brainy: Yah! (Brainy electrifies another Samurai and leaps aside as two more rush him.) (Hefty smashes a Samurai into icy shards.) Hefty: Hoi-yah! (A Blizzard Warrior lunges at Hefty, but Dreamy tackles him midair. The Warrior turns, staring at Dreamy-human eyes flicker beneath the ice.) Dreamy: Whoa... did you see that?! Hefty: Yeah! It's like the ice is controlling them! (Hefty slams the Warrior into the spikes. More Samurai surge forward.) (Elsewhere on the fort wall, Clumsy knocks down climbing Samurai.) Clumsy: Whoa! Down you go! (Suddenly, Grimfax leaps up onto the wall.) Sorla: Clumsy! (Grimfax punches Clumsy into the air.) Grimfax: You dare defy the Ice Emperor?! Clumsy: Ugh-gah! (He rolls aside as Grimfax's axe slams into the wood.) Grimfax: You will obey... or perish! (Clumsy grabs a bamboo staff and braces himself. Grimfax splits it in half with a brutal swing.) Clumsy: Uh-oh. (Grimfax hacks the staff to pieces. Clumsy throws the broken end and ducks as the axe swings again-) Dreamy: Ha! (Dreamy blocks the axe with his sword.) Clumsy: Oh! Hi, Dreamy! Hefty: Heads up! (Hefty slams his fists together, sending a shockwave that blasts Grimfax off the wall. Ice Fishers surround him with weapons drawn.) Dreamy: It's over. (Throws off his hood.) You've lost. (Grimfax slowly turns his head. A glow flickers from inside Sorla's home-the Hearth Fire.) Grimfax: You sheltered the newcomers. You should have known better than to defy the Ice Emperor. (Two children inside slam the cabin door shut as Grimfax leaps onto the roof.) Clumsy: The Fire! He's going for the Fire! (He sprints toward the house.) Smurfette: Stop him! (With a thunderous crash, Grimfax smashes through the roof. Snow and splinters rain down as the ninja burst through the doors.) (Grimfax raises his axe high-then brings it down onto the Hearth Fire. The flames sputter... then die.) Clumsy: NO! (The cabin falls into darkness. Smoke curls into the freezing air.) Grimfax: You may have won the battle... but without your Fire, you have lost the war. (Sorla stares in horror at the cold ashes. Grimfax leaps back through the shattered roof.) Grimfax: Fall back! (The Blizzard Samurai retreat into the snow. One Archer supports an injured Warrior. The Archers draw their bows in warning—then slowly lower them before disappearing into the storm.) (Later. The Ice Fishers sit silently around the empty fire pit, wrapped in blankets. The cold creeps in.) Child: M-Mommy... I-I'm cola... (Clumsy watches as an Ice Fisher gently wraps the child in a thicker blanket. Clumsy looks up at the moon shining through the hole in the roof.) Clumsy: I'm sorry... Sorla: It is not your fault, Clumsy. Clumsy: I just... I wish there was something I could do. Sorla: You have done all you can. Have you not? (Clumsy looks at the ashes. His fists tighten. Slowly, he stands.) Clumsy: Maybe... maybe not. (He throws off his blanket and steps toward the fire pit.) Clumsy: Come on... come on... (He concentrates. Nothing happens.) Clumsy: Mmph! Mnh! Aargh! (He strains harder-then suddenly, a spark flickers in his hands. A small flame bursts to life. The fire pit ignites in a warm glow.) (Clumsy gasps, staring at the growing fire.) Clumsy: I... I did it. (The Elders step forward in awe as more wood is placed into the pit. The flames grow stronger, brighter.) Elder: Fire Maker... (The others begin to chant softly.) Elders: Fire Maker... Fire Maker... Fire Maker... (The chant grows louder, filled with hope.) Clumsy: I really did it! Smurfette: You sure did. Dreamy: Just listen to them! Elders: Fire Maker! Fire Maker! Fire Maker! (The fire roars warmly, pushing back the cold and the darkness.) (Far away, in the Castle of Ice, General Vex watches through his crystal.) Vex: Rrrgh... (He clenches his fist, the crystal flickering angrily as he storms away.)

The Never-Realm (Akita's voice echoes as the image of a frozen land fills the screen.) Akita (narration): My land was once peaceful and pristine. That changed decades ago... when the Ice Emperor came. He imposed his will upon us, corrupting everything he touched, and destroyed my people. Now there is no one left to defy him. But I believe... one day, someone will. I believe heroes still exist. (The Land Bounty suddenly bursts out of a swirling portal and slams onto icy mountains, bouncing violently before skidding to a stop.) Ninja: Aaaaah! (The ship lands upside down.) Dreamy: Everyone... okay? Hefty: Unh. Great. Now I know how my socks feel in the dryer. Clumsy: I think I swallowed my teeth. (They unbuckle and drop down. Brainy lands flat on his back, knocking into Clumsy and sending them both tumbling.) Brainy: Ow! I am not liking this realm so far. Clumsy: Ugh... me neither. Smurfette: (Checking the navigation screen) We're completely off the map. Coordinates unknown. Hefty: So... that's the Never-Realm. Dreamy: Papa Smurf said getting here wouldn't be the hard part. Getting home is. (Glances around) The Traveler's Tea? (Hefty picks it up from the floor.) Hefty: Still got it. Dreamy: Good. Whatever happens, don't- (The Land Bounty suddenly tilts.) Brainy: Uh... what was that? (Dreamy rushes to the window and freezes.) Dreamy: Oh no... Brainy: What? What is it? Dreamy: Don't come over here! (Too late-the Bounty begins sliding toward the edge of a cliff.) Dreamy: Gah! Smurfette: We have to get out-now! (She slams the door controls and jumps out. The others follow.) Hefty! Clumsy: I got you! (Grabs Hefty's hand and pulls him up) Come on! (They watch as the Land Bounty slips completely over the edge and vanishes into the fog below.) Brainy: ...Worst parking spot ever. Hefty: (Sighs in relief, patting himself) I thought for a second- (Gasps) Oh no. Brainy: What? Hefty: The Traveler's Tea. (Checks again, frantic) It's... it's gone. Brainy: Oh, fantastic. Just fantastic! We're stranded on a frozen mountain, in the middle of a blizzard, with no ship, no supplies, and no way home! Clumsy: How could you drop it?! Hefty: We were about to fall off a cliff! I had other things on my- Dreamy: Enough! (Yells over the wind) This isn't helping! Smurfette-anything on the tracker? Smurfette: (Checks the device) Nothing. No signal at all. Brainy: Of course not. Why would anything work? That would be hope. Hefty: So... what do we do? Dreamy: We get off this mountain-now-before we freeze to death. (The ninja begin their descent. The wind howls as a blizzard engulfs them. Snow whips across their faces. They lower their hoods and peer into the dark, frozen woods below.) (Something is watching.) Brainy: Finally... (The ninja push forward and enter a dense forest. Snow crunches beneath their feet as they shiver violently.) Hefty: Gah—I'm s-s-so c-c-cold! (Clumsy concentrates, trying to summon his fire power. Nothing happens.) Clumsy: If I s-still had my powers, I could m-m-make us a f-fire... Dreamy: It's n-not your f-fault. (A low growl echoes through the trees. The ninja freeze. Frost Wolves step out of the shadows, their icy breath curling through the air.) Brainy: (Gasps.) Dreamy: Run! (They bolt. The Frost Wolves give chase. The ninja leap over a fallen log-) Dreamy: Agh! (Dreamy slams into a tree and stumbles.) Brainy: Dreamy! (Brainy rushes back and pulls him up. The Frost Wolves close in, snarling... then suddenly stop. Their ears twitch. They look upward-and slowly back away.) Hefty: Why aren't they attacking? Brainy: I don't know... but that's really creepy. (The Frost Wolves suddenly turn and flee into the forest.) Dreamy: Let's go-before they change their minds. (The ninja hurry off, unaware of a frozen Frost Wolf perched high in a nearby tree, watching them.) (They emerge into a clearing-and stop dead.) (People stand frozen in blocks of ice, expressions locked in fear.) Ninja: (Gasp.) Clumsy: What... what happened to them? Smurfette: (Kneels beside one, listening closely) I can hear a heartbeat. They're alive-just frozen. Hefty: (Tries an Earth Punch; the ice doesn't crack) Frozen by what? (Suddenly, the tracker beeps.) Smurfette: Dreamy! I'm picking up a faint signal— (It strengthens.) It's the Mech! Hefty: Where? Smurfette: (Checks the display) That way. Due east. Brainy: But these people- (Looks around) We can't just leave them. They're still alive! Dreamy: I know..... but we don't know what did this, and we can't help them like this. Smurfette: It'll be dark soon. We keep moving, find Handy, and come back once we understand what we're dealing with. (Brainy hesitates... then nods.) (The ninja turn and follow the signal deeper into the frozen forest.) Smurfette: The signal's barely there. Must be interference... or something. Hefty: Maybe it's the cold messing with it. Brainy: Or the beacon on the Mech is- (A low growl cuts him off. Frost Wolves emerge from the shadows, circling.) Smurfette: Oh. Great. Clumsy: I'm officially done with these things! Hefty: Yeah. I say we stop running. What do you think, guys? Brainy: Uh-here they come! (The ninja pull up their hoods as the Frost Wolves leap.) Dreamy: Let 'em have it! (Dreamy slams one Frost Wolf with a burst of energy. Another lunges at him-he twists, hurling it into a rock. The remaining wolves charge Brainy and Smurfette.) Brainy: Ha-ah! (Lightning cracks, sending one wolf skidding across the ice, stunned. Another barrels into them, knocking them down.) Smurfette: Unh! (She scrambles to her feet as two Frost Wolves stalk closer.) Clumsy: Smurfette! Use your powers! Smurfette: (Straining) I'm trying-but nothing's happening! Clumsy: We're surrounded by water! Smurfette: It's frozen! (Suddenly-whizz! Arrows fly past, striking the ice near the wolves. Startled, the Frost Wolves yelp and retreat into the forest.) Hefty: ...Okay. That was new. (The ninja look up. Three mysterious figures stand at the edge of the clearing, bows lowered. They gesture for the ninja to follow.) Brainy: Uh... are we trusting this? Dreamy: Right now? We don't have a lot of options. (The figures lead them across a frozen lake toward a hidden village. The cold wind fades as they enter a wooden cabin. Inside, a fire crackles warmly. A woman sits by the flames, watching them carefully.) Sorla: Come. Come. Warm yourselves. Clumsy: Thank you! Thank you! Brainy: (Sighs as he holds his hands to the fire) Ohhh... that feels amazing. Smurfette: Who are you? And where are we? Sorla: This is my home. I am Sorla, of the People of the Great Lake. (Pauses, studying them) And you—who are you? Where do you come from? Dreamy: Far away. Sorla: Beyond the forest? (Dreamy nods. The three Ice Fishers gasp.) Ice Fishers: Beyond the forest?! Sorla: Beyond the mountains? Dreamy: Yes. (Steps forward) We come from a place called Ninjago. We're searching for a friend. His name is Handy. Sorla: (Softens) No strangers have come here in many years. We are the last tribe on the ice. The others fled south. Soon... we must do the same. The cold grows stronger. The ice, thicker. (After a moment) But perhaps... perhaps I can help. (She kneels by the hearth.) Sorla: Come. Look into the fire. (She casts ashes of spirits into the flames.) Sorla: Tell me again-your friend's name. Dreamy: Handy. Sorla: And the land from which he came? Smurfette: Ninjago. Sorla: (Chanting) Spirits of earth. Spirits of lake. Show us the fate of Handy of Ninjago. (The fire flares violently, forming the image of the Castle of Ice.) Ninja: Whoa... Wow... Uthaug: (Gasps) The Emperor... Boma: The Castle of Ice! Sorla: (Voice heavy) I.. I am sorry for your loss. Dreamy: What do you mean? Sorla: Your friend cannot be saved. He has been taken prisoner by the Ice Emperor. For decades, the Emperor has ruled this realm, crushing all who defy him. His castle lies beyond the mountains—a bitter, corrupted place. A place we do not go. Dreamy: Handy is there? In the Ice Castle? (Sorla nods sadly.) Dreamy: Then show us the way. Sorla: You cannot! The cold there is unnatural. The ice itself is evil—Dark Ice. No one goes there but the Emperor and his Blizzard Samurai. They are not like us. They feel nothing. They fear nothing. Only a fool would attempt it. Your friend is lost. Dreamy: No. (Shakes his head) I won't believe that. Handy is strong. He would never give up on us-and we're not giving up on him. Clumsy: Yeah! Hefty: Yeah! And if going there makes us fools, then so be it. Smurfette: Ninja never quit. Sorla: (Studying them) You all speak as one? Dreamy: We speak as one. Sorla: Then your friend is truly fortunate. But hear this warning-Vex, the Emperor's General, sees much. The Dark Ice serves him. If he learns you are here, he will warn the Emperor. Dreamy: Vex... Sorla: The Samurai will come. They do not hesitate. They do not fear. And once they are sent... they will not stop. (The fire crackles ominously.) (Within the frozen halls of the Castle of Ice, crystalline walls hum softly. General Vex gazes into his crystal, its surface flickering with the image of the ninja. He turns and kneels before the throne.) General Vex: My Emperor. Ice Emperor: (Voice low, echoing) Why... do you disturb my thoughts? General Vex: I bring grave news. Strangers from a distant realm have entered the Never-Realm. They travel together... and they seek the prisoner. Ice Emperor: (Pauses) They dare defy me? General Vex: Yes, my Emperor. They challenge your rule simply by breathing your air. Ice Emperor: Then they must be punished. General Vex: (Smiles coldly) Let them witness your power. Let them learn what becomes of those who oppose the Ice Emperor. Ice Emperor: (Rises slightly from the throne) Send my Blizzard Samurai. They will hunt the strangers... and erase them. General Vex: And those who shelter them? Ice Emperor: After a beat Destroy them all. General Vex: (Bows deeply) As you command, my Emperor. (Vex turns. The castle gates thunder open as ranks of Blizzard Samurai march forth, their armor creaking with frozen menace. They advance toward the village through the howling storm.)

A Cold Goodbye! (Lily thrashes in her sleep. The echoes of battle fill her nightmare.) Past Dreamy: Look out! (The Titan Mech vanishes in a flash of light. Aspheera fires a blast of magic toward Papa Smurf. Handy shoves him aside.) Past Smurfette: (Screaming) Handy! (The magic strikes. Handy disappears. Papa Smurf is thrown backward, staring in horror at the empty space.) Past Hetty: Handy! (The vision shifts-Handy clutches Lily's hands, slipping as the Ethereal Divide opens beneath him.) Lily (dream): Handy! (She reaches for him as he falls.) (Lily jolts awake.) Lily: No! (She sits up, breathing hard. Trembling, she pulls a photo of her and Handy from beside the bed, gently tracing it with her fingers.) (The door opens. The others rush in.) Smurfette: (Flips on the light) Lily! Are you okay? Blossom: Did something happen? Lily: (Quietly) I am fine. I was dreaming about the moment he... he- Smurfette: (Sits beside her, rubbing her back) It's okay. I know. Storm: You're not alone, Lily. We're all here for you. Lily: (Stares at the photo, voice breaking) I... find it difficult to accept that he is gone. Dreamy: Me too. (Sighs.) Brainy: All of us do. It still doesn't feel real. (Hefty nods in agreement.) (The door suddenly bursts open.) Papa Smurf: Handy is alive! Dreamy: What?! Blossom: Really?! Clumsy: Where?! Brainy: How?! Storm: Tell us! Papa Smurf: Quiet-listen. I spoke with Aspheera in Kryptarium Prison. She did not destroy Handy. (Grim) She banished him... to a distant realm. Clumsy: Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go get him! Dreamy: Yeah! (To apa Smurf) What realm? Papa Smurf: The Never-Realm. Clumsy: Huh? Dreamy: What? Smurfette: The Never-Realm...? Hefty: I've never even heard of it. Blossom: Me neither. Papa Smurf: Very few have. Dreamy: Wait-what is the Never-Realm? Papa Smurf: According to legend, it is the most distant and isolated of all realms. My father spoke of it only once... (He stops abruptly; the others bump into one another.) ...as a warning. (He resumes walking.) Of all the realms of Creation, he told me this was the one I must never visit. A frozen, hostile land. He forbade it. Brainy: Uh-forbade as in absolutely, under no circumstances, ever? Blossom: A realm with no clear return... that sounds like a nightmare. Clumsy: Yeah. Why? Hefty: What's so wrong with it? Storm: Can you tell us anything else? Papa Smurf: Very little. My father went there only once. He said he nearly lost his way back. (Darkly) He warned me others would not be so fortunate. (Papa Smurf enters another room; the others follow.) Brainy: Well that's reassuring. Creepy and vague. Blossom: At least we know Handy is alive. That's what matters most. Papa Smurf: I will use Aspheera's staff to locate him. It banished him there-it will work again. (He opens a cabinet, removing a small box. Inside are two cloth sacks.) Papa Smurf: Once I find him, I will use Traveler's Tea to bring us home. Dreamy: You mean all of us—because we're coming too. Hefty: Yeah! Papa Smurf: Absolutely not. (Everyone freezes.) Papa Smurf: What happened to Handy is my fault. I will not endanger you further. I would sooner risk myself alone than fail you again. (Firm) And I promised Willow I would keep you safe. Clumsy: No way! Storm: We're not letting you go alone! Hefty: We're not sitting this out! Brainy: Handy's our brother! Blossom: He's family! Papa Smurf: Enough! (He shuts the box.) I will risk no more lives. My decision is final. (He turns away.) Dreamy: (After a pause, smiling calmly) Okay. We understand, Papa. But... maybe you shouldn't rush this. Maybe sleep on it. Come up with a proper plan. Papa Smurf: A plan? Brainy: Yes! You're always telling us not to act without thinking. Blossom: There's no such thing as being too prepared. Papa Smurf: (Sighs, setting the box down) Very well. I will meditate on it. (He turns away.) And when I'm done, I'l call Willow to watch over you. (Dreamy exchanges a knowing wink with the others.) (Later. Papa Smurf meditates. The room is silent.) (Dreamy drops quietly from the ceiling, tiptoes forward, and opens the box.) (Cut to the ninja's room. Papa opens one sack.) Hefty, Smurfette, Clumsy: Ugh. Storm: Seriously? A sandwich? (Dreamy scratches his head sheepishly.) (He tries sneaking back-) Chicken: (Clucks.) (Dreamy freezes.) (The chicken powers up and attacks. Papa absentmindedly pets it.) (Dreamy drops from the ceiling outside, landing hard, spitting out a feather.) (Back inside. Papa resumes meditating.) (Dreamy drops silently, cartwheels behind him, grabs the other sack, and escapes.) (The ninja regroup. Smurfette hands Dreamy his sword.) (They step into the elevator.) Hefty: Did you get it this time? Storm: We don't have time to mess this up. Dreamy: (Holds up the sack) Got it. Hefty: Good. Our return ticket. Hefty: Still... why was Papa so set on going alone? Dreamy: No idea. (Determined) Let's get the staff. Smurfette: (Places her hand on the scanner) What about the tracker? Lily: Right here. (Hands it over.) It's keyed to the mech. If Handy's still with it and within range, you'll see him. Blossom: We will save him. Brainy: Papa Smurf's going to be furious when he wakes up. Dreamy: He already is. He's just not thinking clearly. Hefty: He'll understand... eventually. Brainy: (Recoils) Gah! (The elevator doors open.) (Papa Smurf stands in the hangar bay, holding Aspheera's staff—with the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu attached.) Clumsy: Papa Smurf?! Storm: Why are you holding that scroll?! (Creation energy surges through Papa Smurf's body. The ninja step toward him cautiously.) Dreamy: How did you even get down here? Y-you were just upstairs. Papa Smurf: Give me the Traveler's Tea, Dreamy. Dreamy: I can't do that. It's for your own good, Papa. Papa Smurf: That is for me to decide. Give me the tea. Dreamy: We stand a better chance finding Handy together, and you know it. There are more of us-we're younger, stronger, and- Papa Smurf: GIVE ME THE TEA! (Papa releases a shockwave of Creation energy, knocking everyone back as he powers up.) Dreamy: You're holding the Forbidden Scroll, Master. Please-put it down. Papa Smurf: You dare disobey me?! Dreamy: I'm sorry... but yes. Papa Smurf: Yah! (Papa slams the staff into the ground. Hefty, Blossom, and Clumsy are thrown backward. Papa swings at Dreamy; Dreamy blocks with his sword, but Papa knocks it away.) (Papa strikes again-Dreamy narrowly dodges.) (Dreamy tosses the tea pouch toward Clumsy.) Clumsy: Whoa-! (Papa swings again, knocking it from Clumsy's hands. The pouch flies into the air.) Smurfette: Got it! (She catches it and leaps back as Papa lunges toward her.) Papa Smurf: Give it to me, Smurfette! Smurfette: No, Papa Smurf! (She throws the pouch across the floor. Brainy slides in and catches it.) Dreamy: Papa, please! (Papa leaps toward Brainy, slamming his staff down. Brainy dodges.) Brainy: Hey, hey—let's not turn this into a family brawl! (Brainy tosses the tea to Hefty.) Hefty: Papa, you gotta listen-! (He bats the pouch toward Dreamy.) Dreamy: Got-ah! (Papa charges, knocking Dreamy to the ground.) Dreamy: Gah! Smurfette: Dreamy! Dreamy: It's the scroll, Papa! Can't you see what it's doing to you?! Papa Smurf: I will not risk anyone else's life! Now give me the Traveler's Tea! Dreamy: ..I'm really sorry about this. But you're not leaving us any choice. (Dreamy produces a shuriken. Brainy readies a rope.) (Dreamy throws the shuriken, knocking the staff from Papa's hand.) Dreamy: Now! (Brainy loops the rope over Papa. Hefty grabs the other end, and together they restrain him.) Papa Smurf: (Unh... grunting) The tea-the tea will- (Dreamy gently but firmly gags Papa. Papa stumbles back and sits down, furious.) Brainy: ...Wow. Blossom: That was way too close. Storm: Yeah. Clumsy: Did we really just tie up our own Papa? Hefty: Hey, at least we're improving. Last time was... not great. Dreamy: We didn't have a choice. (Softens, kneeling slightly) I'm sorry, Papa Smurf. You're not thinking clearly-just like before Handy disappeared. And this scroll is only making it worse. (Dreamy picks up the staff and tosses it to Lily.) Dreamy: Lily, do the honors. Everyone else-on the Bounty. Lily: Please hurry. I do not wish to hold this any longer than necessary. It feels... wrong. Blossom: Don't worry, Lily. We'll be back fast. Storm: Yeah. We've got this. (Everyone runs toward the Bounty, leaving Dreamy behind for a moment.) Dreamy: (Quietly) I'm really sorry, Papa Smurf. I hope one day you can forgive me. Papa Smurf: (Muffled) Don't do this... please... don't do this... Dreamy: We'll bring Handy back. I promise. (Dreamy turns and runs to join the others.) (Dreamy rushes into the Bounty and buckles in beside the others. He glances at Storm and Blossom, clearly conflicted.) Dreamy: Storm... Blossom... I need you two to stay behind. Storm: Are you sure, Dreamy? We can help. Blossom: Yeah. We don't want to sit this out. Dreamy: Listen. If something goes wrong—if we don't come back—you two need to be here. Someone has to help Papa and Lily... and figure out how to bring us home. Storm: ...l understand. But promise me you'll look out for Clumsy. Blossom: And Brainy. Promise. Dreamy: I promise. And you two-stay with Papa and Lily. They'll need you. (Storm and Blossom exchange a look, then nod.) Blossom: Before you go... can we say goodbye? Dreamy: Of course. (Storm and Blossom walk over to Brainy and Clumsy.) Blossom: Good luck out there, okay? Brainy: Don't worry, Blossom. I'll be fine. Storm: Promise me you'll be careful. Clumsy: Of course, Storm. I promise. (Storm and Blossom step back as the hatch closes.) Hefty: Lock and load! Smurfette: Lily, do you copy? Lily: Loud and clear. Are you ready? Dreamy: Anyone having second thoughts? It's now or never. Brainy: Next stop... the Never-Realm. Hefty: What are we waiting for? Clumsy: Let's get this show on the road! Smurfette: We're ready. (Lily raises the staff-then hesitates, a flash of her nightmare crossing her mind.) Past Dreamy (echo): look out! (Lily steadies herself, lifts the staff high, and focuses.) Lily: Here we go. (She points the staff at the Land Bounty. Energy surges, opening a portal and pulling the ship inside.) Papa Smurf: (Muffled) No... please... (Lily lowers the staff and tosses it aside, unease on her face.) (The Land Bounty spirals wildly through the portal.) Ninja: Aaaah! Brainy: W-what's happening?! Clumsy: Whoa-whoa—! (The Bounty flips upside down.) Clumsy: Whaaaa! Dreamy: Hang on, everyone! (Back at the monastery.) Blossom: I hope they'll be okay... Storm: They will be. They know what they're doing. (Lily unties Papa Smurf. He removes the gag and slowly stands.) Lily: I know you're angry, Papa Smurf. But logically... Dreamy was right. Together, their chances are better than yours alone. They will return. They have the Traveler's Tea. Blossom: Exactly. They'll find a way back. Storm: You just need a little faith in them. (Papa Smurf turns away, his voice heavy.) Papa Smurf: That is what I was trying to warn you about. Traveler's Tea grown in Ninjago will not work in the Never-Realm. (Storm and Blossom freeze.) Papa Smurf: I lied... so I could go alone. Now they are lost-just like Handy. (He walks back toward the monastery.) Papa Smurf: It is called the Never-Realm for a reason. They may never return. (Silence.) Lily: ...Oh dear. Blossom: No. I don't believe that. Storm: Yeah. We can't give up on them. Lily: ..I truly hope you're right.

Vengeance is Mine! (Aspheera relentlessly attacks the hangar bay doors.) Aspheera: Again. (An Elemental Cobra slams into the barred doors.) Aspheera: Again. (Another cobra crashes into the metal.) Aspheera: Again! Char: Kaboom! Aspheera: Again. (A cobra rams the doors once more.) Char: Blam-o! (Aspheera glares at Char, then turns back to the doors, seething.) Aspheera: Again. (Another cobra charges.) (Inside the hangar, the team works frantically on the Titan Mech. A massive boom echoes through the chamber.) Aspheera (outside): Revenge! Clumsy: Papa Smurf? Papa Smurf: That sound... it is hatred and anger. So much anger. Clumsy: (Jumps down beside him) We won't let her get to you, Papa. Blossom: Exactly. We're in this together. Hefty: Yeah! She'll have to go through us first! Lily: Affirmative. (Smurfette tries the communicator.) Smurfette: Lily, come in. Lily? Lily: (Smurfette appears on the screen) Smurfette, where are you? Smurfette: I'm with Handy, Storm, and Dreamy. We have the second scroll. Repeat—we have the second scroll! Hefty: Yes! Blossom: All right! Brainy: Excellent! Clumsy: (High-fives Hefty) About time! Lily: That is most welcome news. Papa Smurf: Smurfette, tell Dreamy to be very careful with that scroll. It is extremely dangerous. The less it is handled, the better. Smurfette: I understand. We'll be careful. (Another thunderous impact shakes the hangar.) Clumsy: Wha-?! Blossom: Oh, not again! Smurfette: What was that sound? Lily: The structural integrity of the hangar doors is failing. You must hurry, Smurfette. Smurfette: Hold on, Lily-we're coming! (She slams the thruster lever forward. Handy does the same as the engines roar to life.) Dreamy: What is it? Storm: Is everyone okay out there?! Smurfette: We're running out of time. And Dreamy-Papa Smurf said to be careful with the scroll. It's dangerous. Dreamy: I will be. (He unravels the scroll. Dark energy surges through him instantly.) Storm: Oh no... it's happening again. Smurfette: Maybe you should wrap it back up—just to be safe- Dreamy: (His eyes darken, voice warped and menacing) I said I'll be careful! (Smurfette freezes, stunned. Dreamy blinks, his tone snapping back to normal.) Dreamy: Smurfette... I-I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. Smurfette: It's the scroll, Dreamy. Put it down. Storm: Don't worry-we're almost there, okay? Hopefully we're not too late to help. (Dreamy grunts, struggling against the pull of the scroll. With effort, he wraps it back up.) (Outside, Aspheera continues her assault on the hangar bay.) Aspheera: Again! (A cobra slams into the doors.) Brainy: (Watching the doors shake) Gah! What do we do?! (He grabs Clumsy in a panic.) Blossom: Oh no... the doors won't hold! We need to hide-now! Hefty: (Spots a vent in the floor) In there! Move! (Hefty grabs Papa Smurf and pulls him toward the vent. Blossom jumps in as Hefty rips the grate open.) Aspheera: It is working. Send them all. Char: All? Aspheera: ALL. Char: You heard her! All of them-go! (The remaining cobras charge the doors.) Brainy: Lily! Hurry! Lily: I just need a few more seconds! (She continues working on the Titan Mech as Papa Smurf and Hefty disappear into the vents.) Blossom: Come on, everyone-hurry! (Brainy jumps into the vent with the others.) Clumsy: We're out of time, Lily! (Aspheera finally smashes through the hangar bay doors and slithers inside. The chamber is eerily quiet-no one in sight. She advances deeper into the base, only to find it completely empty.) Aspheera: (Whirling on her army) What trick is this?! (The Pyro Vipers glance at one another and shrug.) Char: A... very tricky trick? Aspheera: Where are they?! Show yourself, Papa Smurf! Face me —if you have the courage! (She slams her staff into the ground near a vent. Dust rains down onto Brainy.) Brainy: (Whispering, trying to hold it in) Hah-hee— (Hefty quickly covers Brainy's mouth. Brainy grins sheepishly... then sneezes.) Blossom: Oh, come on... Aspheera: (Rips the vent cover away) At last! I dreamed of this moment, Papa Smurf! Dreamed of it! (Suddenly, heavy footsteps shake the base.) Lily: (The Titan Mech stomps forward) Keep dreaming. Aspheera: (Looks up) Eh? Lily: Get away from them, you witch! (She swipes Aspheera aside with the mech's arm.) Aspheera: Ugh-ahh! (Hisses as she rises) Who are you? Lily: Lily. And you're not touching my friends. Brainy: Yeah-ha! Blossom: Nice one, bestie! Hefty: Let her have it, Lily! Make Handy proud! Char: (Screaming as he slithers away) Aughhh! (Aspheera snarls and hurls a fireball. Lily blocks it and reflects it back, blasting Aspheera across the floor.) Aspheera: Ahh-ulnh! Clumsy: What are we waiting for? Let's help! Blossom: Let's do this-Ninja, go! (Clumsy, Blossom, and Papa Smurf leap from the vent, pulling up their hoods as they land beside the mech, facing the Pyro Vipers.) Aspheera: Attack! (Her army surges forward. Aspheera rips a stalactite from above and hurls it at the Titan Mech.) Brainy: Huh?! (He vaults over a charging Pyro Slayer.) Blossom: Brainy-together! Brainy: Got it! Brainy & Blossom: Ninia-go! (They launch into Spinjitzu as Aspheera continues bombarding Lily with magic and falling stone.) Hefty: (Knocks back a Pyro Viper) Yah! (He looks up as the mech staggers.) All: (Gasp) Aspheera: (Laughing cruelly) Ah-hahahaha! (She casts a spell from the Never-Realm. Lily blocks it with the mech's arm-but the energy consumes the system.) Automated Voice: Warning. Mechanical failure. Mechanical failure. (The Titan Mech collapses. Lily gasps and leaps free.) Aspheera: Finish them! (The Pyro Vipers overwhelm the ninja.) Brainy: (Kicks a Pyro Destroyer back-then gets tackled) Ha-oww! Blossom: Oh no-we're captured! Clumsy: Huh? (The Pyro Vipers force him to his knees. Nearby, Lily and Hefty surrender. Clumsy spots Papa Smurf surrounded.) Papa Smurf: (Surrounded by hissing Pyro Vipers, he lowers his staff) Hmm... (Suddenly, engines roar overhead.) (Papa Smurf looks up—gasping as Handy arrives in the ShuriCopter.) Aspheera: (Groans in irritation) (The Land Bounty rises into position.) Dreamy: (Leaping down, holding the staff) Aspheera! Aspheera: The second scroll?! Impossible! Dreamy: I'm full of surprises! (Smurfette, Storm, Dreamy, and Handy land beside the others. Aspheera spins first-her dark Spinjitzu colliding with Dreamy's. She slams her staff down, knocking his weapon from his hand.) Dreamy: Gah-unh! Brainy: (He lunges, spinning toward the fallen staff.) Ha—ah! Wha—haha! (Brainy's Spinjitzu collides with Aspheera's. She snarls and blasts him backward. He slams into the ground as the staff spins through the air.) Brainy: Eurh! Ahh! Hefty: I've got it! Huh! (Hefty snatches the staff midair and charges.) Rargh! Ha-cha! (He leaps, slamming the staff against Aspheera's. Their Spinjitzu clash—sparks flying. With a roar, Aspheera overpowers him and hurls him aside.) Hefty: Unh! (The staff skids across the floor, stopping at Clumsy's feet.) Storm: Clumsy, look out! Papa Smurf: Clumsy! Handy: Watch out! (Clumsy grabs the staff, hesitates, then charges.) Clumsy: Yah! (Aspheera only grins. She spins once and swats him aside effortlessly. Clumsy crashes back into Papa Smurf as Storm rushes to him.) Clumsy: Agh! Unh! (The staff rolls away again-this time stopping at Handy's feet.) (Aspheera raises her staff, aiming at Papa Smurf.) Aspheera: Begone. (Papa and Clumsy leap aside as the banishment spell fires. The Titan Mech vanishes in a flash. Lily stares at the empty space, stunned.) Lily: No... the mech- Handy: (Gripping the staff, determined) Leave my friends alone! (He sprints forward, vaulting over two Pyro Vipers.) Ah! (With a swift motion, he freezes them solid.) Handy: Unh! Ha! Ha! Aspheera: Ahh! (Handy slams the staff down. Ice erupts, trapping Aspheera completely. The remaining Pyro Vipers try to flee-only for Zane to encase them in ice as it spreads across the hangar.) Hefty: Holy cow... Storm: Whoa... Brainy: H-how did you do that? Papa Smurf: It is the power of the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. (Steps forward) Handy... give it to me. (Handy hesitates, clutching the staff.) Papa Smurf: Handy. (Handy nods and walks toward him. Aspheera's eyes snap open within the ice-burning with rage.) Dreamy: Look out! (The ice shatters. Aspheera thrusts her staff forward, unleashing a banishment spell straight at Papa Smurf.) Handy: (Gasps) (In one motion, Handy shoves Papa Smurf out of the way and takes the blast head-on.) (A flash. Handy vanishes.) (Aspheera's staff clatters to the ground as she recoils in shock.) Smurfette: (Tearing off her hood) No! Handy! Hefty: (Rips off his hood and rushes forward) Handy! Lily: No! (She pushes past Dreamy and drops to her knees where Handy stood.) Lily: Handy... (The others remove their hoods in silence. Brainy and Blossom exchange a look and bow their heads. Smurfette stares at the ground, trembling. Clumsy slams his fist into the floor in anger as Storm grips his shoulder. Papa Smurf turns away, shame heavy on his face.) (Papa Smurf enters Cell One of Kryptarium Prison. The heavy doors echo as he steps onto the platform. Inside the energy barrier, Aspheera stirs.) Aspheera: (Slithering up to the window, amused) Ahh... Papa Smurf. How poetic. Here we are again. You walk free... while I rot here, unjustly imprisoned. Papa Smurt: (Voice shaking with fury) Unjustly? Handy was innocent. He had no part in your war. (Swallows hard) He was one of the kindest, bravest souls I have ever known... and you destroyed him. Aspheera: Destroyed? (Laughs softly) Oh, papa, you misunderstand. I never wanted to destroy you. Papa Smurf: Then what? Aspheera: I wanted you to suffer. As I suffered. Only... worse. Papa Smurf: (Steps closer, stunned) What are you saying? Aspheera: I did not destroy your precious Smurf. (Leans in, eyes gleaming) I banished him—to the one place where you cannot reach him. (Smiles coldly) The Never-Realm. Papa Smurf: (Gasps) No... (He turns and runs, his footsteps fading down the corridor.) Aspheera: (Laughing, her voice echoing through the cell) What will you do now, papa? What will you do now?! (Her laughter lingers.) (Cut to the Never-Realm. Snow blows across a frozen wasteland. A shattered piece of the Titan Mech lies half-buried in ice.) (Footsteps crunch closer...)

The Explores Club (The Elemental Cobras slam themselves against the hangar bay doors, trying to force them open.) Aspheera: Again! (Furious, she channels her magic and hurls Char straight into the doors.) Char: For the queen! Aaaah! Aspheera: (Screaming) More! Break it down! Hefty: Wow... she looks really angry. Blossom: And here I thought Storm had anger issues—no offense, Clumsy. Also... please don't tell Storm I said that. Papa Smurf: She is far more powerful than I remember. Those doors will not hold much longer. Hefty: Uh, guys? Status update-how's it coming? Lily: That should do it. Try powering up the mech now. Clumsy: Okay, Brainy-one more time! (The mech powers up, lurches forward... then sparks and crashes.) Clumsy: Aah! (The mech shuts down.) Clumsy: It's okay. It's okay. We can fix this... I think. Papa Smurf: Without the second Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu, we are out of options. It is our only chance now. Hefty: Don't worry. If it's really at the Explorer's Club, Dreamy and the others will find it. Blossom: Yeah. We just have to trust them. I know they'll get that scroll. (An explorer stands before a projection, giving an overly dramatic presentation.) Shippelton: Here we see me entering the Lost Tomb of Impending Peril. Smythe: Jolly good, old boy! Shippelton: Ah, yes-and here is your humble narrator crossing the Great Chasm of Discontent. Underhill: By Jove, quite so! Shippelton: And at this point, I am fleeing the Booby Traps of Inescapability. Smythe: Gadzooks! How ever did you escape? Shippelton: I didn't. They were, in fact, inescapable. (He turns, revealing his back riddled with arrows.) Underhill: Perhaps you should have that looked at, old bean. (Outside, the ShuriCopter and the Land Bounty roar up to the Explorers Club.) Shippelton: I do say, what a frightfully noisy contraption, Wart! (The doors burst open as Dreamy, Smurfette, Storm, and Handy rush in—only to find the room empty. A voice speaks from behind them.) Cecil Putnam: Tsk, tsk. Such dramatic entrances. (They turn. Cecil stands calmly behind them.) Dreamy: This is an emergency! We need an item from your collection—now! Handy: The second Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. Smurfette: Clutch Powers gave it to you! Storm: We need it to fight back. Do you have it or not? This is our last hope! Cecil: Let's see... Scroll of Confusion... Scroll of Dancing Monkeys... ah yes. The Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. Yes, that artifact has indeed been deposited in our archives. Dreamy: Great. Then hand it over. Quickly. Cecil: Of course, sir. I'll just need to see your membership card. Dreamy: We're not members. We just- Cecil: Then I regret to inform you that access to the archives is strictly for members only. Storm: You cannot be serious right now. Handy: This is a crisis! The fate of all Ninjago is at stake! Cecil: Oh? How dreadful. Smurtette: So... we can have the scroll? Cecil: Good heavens, no! Rules are rules. Where would society be without them? Anarchy, that's where. Dreamy: Okay... then can we join the club? Cecil: Certainly. Simply acquire ten thousand hours of certified exploration, submit your documentation, and we shall begin the multi-year review process of your application. (He calmly shuts the door in their faces.) Smythe: Keeping out the riffraff, eh, Cecil? Cecil: Tragic how few people appreciate decorum these days, Major. Dreamy: ...Did that seriously just happen? Storm: Oh, it happened. And I'm still asking why we didn't just run in when we had the chance. Smurfette: That does it! I am this close to marching back in there and giving that pencil-pusher a piece of my mind! Handy: Time constraints suggest that would be... inefficient. May I propose an alternative tactic? Smurfette: I'm listening. What tactic? Handy: During our brief delay, I constructed a contingency. (Handy activates a hologram, transforming into Clutch Powers.) "Clutch Powers" (Handy): Deception. Dreamy: Whoa. That's actually really good. You look exactly like Clutch. Smurfette: ..Okay, I'm impressed. Storm: Let's just hope this works-because I'm officially out of patience. ("Clutch" confidently strolls into the Explorer's Club.) "Clutch Powers": Ah, yes. Hello. It is I—Clutch Powers. Back again. As I so often am. Cecil: (sighs) Good afternoon, Doctor Powers. "Clutch Powers": Since there is absolutely nothing unusual about my presence, I shall now proceed inside. Cecil: I'm afraid that won't be possible, Doctor. There's the small matter of your membership being... suspended. "Clutch Powers": Suspended? (His eye patch flickers awkwardly.) Curious. Clutch did not mention that when I spoke to him- (beat) —I mean, when I spoke to myself. Cecil: Yes, well. Rules are rules, I'm afraid. ("Clutch" stiffly nods, turns around, and exits. Outside, he deactivates the hologram and reverts to Handy.) Dreamy: ...So? How'd it go? Handy: Unsuccessfully. Clutch Powers' membership has been suspended. Storm: You have got to be kidding me. Smurfette: That's it. I'm done being polite. You know what time it is? (She cracks her knuckles.) Smurfette: It's ninja o'clock. (The four ninja climb onto the roof of the Explorer's Club. Dreamy jams his sword into a ventilation fan as Handy freezes it solid with ice.) Dreamy: Okay..... that looks safe— (the fan creaks) —enough. (Smurfette fires a grappling hook and latches it onto the smokestacks.) Dreamy: We go stealth from here. No weapons. Storm: Let's move, team. (They climb down. The fan creaks again. Dreamy's sword and Handy's ice begin to slip.) Dreamy: Guys... problem. (The sword falls free. The fan roars back to life.) All Ninja: Aaaah! Underhill (below): Reminds me of the fall months I once spent- (CRASH! The ninja drop straight through the vent and land in the room beneath the fan.) Smythe: Oh, dear. Underhill: What is the meaning of this?! Storm: Uh... unexpected maintenance? Smurfette: Yeah! We're, um- Dreamy: —working on the air conditioning! (Dreamy's sword clatters down. He snatches it mid-air.) Smythe: Security! (Cecil rushes in with three guards.) Cecil: (gasps) You again?! Dreamy: Run! Storm: Handy-freeze the door! (They slam the relic room doors shut. Handy freezes the doorknob solid.) Handy: ...What a mess. Dreamy: This must be where they keep all the ancient relics. Smurfette: Which means the Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu is in here somewhere! Spread out-search everything! (Handy examines scrolls. Storm checks shelves. Dreamy gasps when he sees a rubber chicken.) Dreamy: Uh-guys? (Startled, he bumps into a strange chest with a gaping mouth.) Smurtette: Dreamy! Careful—that could've been dangerous! Dreamy: Relax, it's just some weird chest with a- Whoa!! (The chest activates, sucking in scrolls and the book Smurfette was holding.) Smurfette: What is that thing?! It's horrifying! Storm: Seriously, what kind of club allows THIS?! Handy: That appears to be a Chest Vortex of the ancient Sybex Tribe. Dreamy: You say that like it makes this less weird! (The vortex grows stronger, pulling in objects-even the rubber chicken.) Storm: Okay, yeah—new fear unlocked! (Dreamy slams the cube that once held the rubber chicken into the chest. The vortex shuts down.) Dreamy: There. Stopped. Storm: I didn't think anything scared me before today. Dreamy: Fair. And... I'll be more careful. (beat) Dreamy: But don't pretend you knew what that thing did either. (Dreamy stumbles and nearly collides with an old, ornate mirror. Its surface ripples.) Dreamy: Agh! What—? A mirror? Smurfette: What is it? What do you see? Dreamy: It's... some kind of strange mirror. (Smurfette glances into it. She gasps.) Smurfette: Why do I look like that? Dreamy: I think it shows our greatest fears. Smurfette: How can you be sure? Dreamy: Because when | look into it... I see myself becoming my father. (Smurfette looks again—now seeing herself as an ordinary civilian.) Smurfette: I see myself normal. Like I never reached my True Potential. (Storm hesitates, then looks into the mirror. She stiffens.) Storm: Oh no... I see myself—cold, angry. If I had never met Clumsy... I'd still be like this. (Handy steps forward, adjusting his glasses.) Handy: I see myself as well. But without my pencil... without invention. As if I never created anything at all. Dreamy: Hey. Whatever you see, ignore it. It's not real. (Suddenly, a mummified hand crawls across the floor.) Smurfette: Uh-guys?! (The mummy hand snaps up, tangling in Smurfette's hair and lunging at the others.) Dreamy: Move! (They fight it off just as the door bursts open.) Cecil: There they are! Stop, thieves! This is becoming tiresome! (Handy freezes the doorknob with ice. The ninja dash away and skid into another room filled with glass cases.) Handy: We appear to be in the entomology room. Storm: ...Oh gross. Dreamy: The what? Handy: Insects. From all over Ninjago. Smurfette: Great. Just great. Okay, hurry-and Dreamy, don't touch any- (CRASH! Smurfette accidentally knocks over a glass case.) Smurfette: ...thing. (A swarm of tiger wasps bursts free.) Smurfette: Okay, now I understand how Clumsy feels. Handy: Venomasicus Tigrus. Tiger wasps. Their sting is the second most painful known. (One stings Dreamy.) Dreamy: AH! Okay-RUN! Storm: This way! (They sprint-but Cecil and the guards block the exit.) Cecil: Subdue these malefactors! (The wasps swarm everyone. Cecil pulls out a blowpipe.) Cecil: I will put a proper kibosh on this charade! For the empire! (He fires a dart. It ricochets off Handy, hits the ceiling, the wall—then shatters another case.) Cecil: Oh, fie! Dreamy: Uh... what did you just release? Handy: Vastodectrus Venemous. The most painful sting in the world. Storm: WHY does this club even exist?! (Smurfette spots a heavy door.) Smurfette: In here! Hurry—we need to regroup! (They rush inside.) Dreamy: Sorry, everyone! (Handy freezes the doorknob again as the insects slam against the door.) Storm: ..That was way too close. Smurfette: Hey-look! Dreamy: That's it! The Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu! Handy: Negative! It is far too dangerous to touch with bare hands. Storm: He's right. We need something to shield us from its power. (The ninja quickly grab a large banner from the wall, wrap the scroll tightly inside it, pull their hoods up, and move fast.) Smurfette: Come on! Let's get back to the monastery! (They bolt for the exit.) Cecil: Interlopers! Hooligans! Thieves! Smythe: Someone will pay for this—mark my words! Shippelton: I blame Clutch Powers! Somehow, this is all his fault! Smythe: That two-bit hack! Shippelton: Wait... do I hear the telltale buzzing of a Vastodectrus Venemous? (The vicious insects swarm the room. The club members and guards scream as chaos erupts.) Cecil: MY ARCHIVES! (The doors burst open-and the mummy hand lunges in, adding to the mayhem.) All: AAAAAH!

Under Siege (Papa Smurf finishes his story. A heavy silence hangs in the air.) Brainy: You're... the Treacherous Deceiver?! Blossom: You're the reason this whole mess started in the first place?! Clumsy: Wait-wait—wait—wait. Let me get this straight. You broke your own father's law, snuck into Serpentine territory, and almost started a war? Papa Smurf: I-It wasn't quite that— Hefty: And you befriended a snake... and thought teaching her Spinjitzu was a good idea? Papa Smurf: It was... complicated- Lily: And then you stole a forbidden scroll from your father-the First Spinjitzu Master-and broke the law again to stop her? (The ninja, Blossom, and Lily stare at Papa Smurf in disbelief.) Papa Smurf: Yes. All right-yes! I admit it. I was young... reckless... and foolish. I never expected to hear Aspheera's name again. I believed it was all in the past. (The monastery suddenly rumbles. Everyone gasps.) Lily: What was that?! Clumsy: The past... catching up to us. (They rush outside. Pyro Vipers swarm as Fire Fang launches a fireball.) Hefty: Heads up! (They dodge.) Hefty: Looks like Dreamy and the others didn't slow Aspheera down much. Clumsy: This is because of you, Papa. You're our teacher-the one always lecturing us about responsibility and True Potential. Blossom: Exactly! Do you have any idea how much danger we're in because of this?! Papa Smurf: I made a terrible mistake. I never imagined it would come back to haunt us. (Another fireball crashes nearby.) Clumsy: I can't believe this! Brainy: Down! Blossom: We need a plan-fast! Hefty: You said your father created two Scrolls of Forbidden Spinjitzu, right? Papa Smurf: Yes. We used them to defeat Aspheera... and my father was furious. He hid them from us. Hefty: Hid— (dodges fire) —hid them where?! Papa Smurf: I don't know. Clumsy: Well, someone found one. Aspheera got it from the museum. Brainy: Which means... Blossom: Where's the second scroll? Lily: If it ended up in a museum, logic suggests an archaeologist or explorer uncovered it. Blossom: Don't tell me it's— Brainy, Hefty, and Clumsy (together): Clutch Powers! (Dreamy, Storm, Smurfette, and Handy pilot the ShuriCopter above the city as chaos erupts below.) Dreamy: Great. The entire city's under attack-and we still have no idea where Aspheera is. Storm: She's a giant snake with an army. How hard can she be to find? We need answers—now. (The screen on the control panel flickers to life.) Hefty (on comms): Dreamy! Storm! Smurfette! Handy! Handy: We hear you, Hefty-but we've got bad news. We lost Aspheera. Hefty: That's okay. We found her. She's attacking the temple. Dreamy: What?! Storm: How?! Hetty: Yeah... and that's not all. We figured out who the Deceiver is. And-I'm just gonna say it. It's Papa. (Smurfette and Handy gasp.) Smurfette: Papa...? Dreamy: What?! Storm: Wait—so he's the reason the city's under attack? And the reason my boyfriend lost his elemental powers? Hefty: I'm afraid so. It's a long story. But the good news is—we have a plan. Hefty (continuing): There's another Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu out there. And we think Clutch Powers knows where it is. Smurfette: Great. So... where's Clutch? (Cut to Ninjago City Hospital. Clutch Powers lies comfortably in a hospital bed.) Doctor: Mr. Powers, you pressed the emergency call button. What seems to be the emergency? Clutch: Yes, actually. Could you raise my bed just a smidge? One smidge. Two would be far too many. (The doctor raises the bed slightly, sighs, and walks away.) Clutch (smiling) : Ahhh. Now this is what I call living. (The Pyro Vipers slam against the temple doors, cracking them.) Aspheera: Fire Fang-destroy the doors! Hefty: Those doors aren't gonna hold much longer! Blossom: Oh man, this is bad! They're gonna break through any second! Brainy: And we just replaced them! Hefty: So what do we do?! Papa Smurf: We still have a few surprises in store. Lily! Lily: On it. Papa Smurf: When we renovated the temple, Lily insisted we install additional defensive measures. (Hidden panels slide open. Automated sentry cannons deploy, firing pressurized water and rubber shurikens.) Brainy: Ho ho ho! Rubber shurikens! Nice! Yeah-get back! Blossom: Handy would be so proud of you right now. Char: The Deceiver turns his weapons against us! Aspheera: Bah. Parlor tricks—for someone who possesses a Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu. (She activates her scroll, disabling the sentry cannons.) Aspheera: Fire Fang-the door! (The gate explodes inward.) Clumsy: Run! (Lily leads everyone toward the hangar bay.) Aspheera: Come out, you coward! Face me! Char: Yes! Face Aspheera, Queen of the Serpentine and rightful ruler of all Ninja- Aspheera: Oh, stop blathering, you fool, and ransack the temple! Find him! Char: You heard her! Stop blathering and start ransacking-move! (The group races through the hangar bay.) Brainy: We'll have to escape through the vehicle bay doors! Lily: (checking monitors) Negative. We're surrounded. That route is blocked. Blossom: Oh no... that means we're trapped. Clumsy: Great. Just great. (Points at Papa.) Another thing I blame you for. Hefty: Clumsy, maybe now's not the time. We need to focus. (Papa sighs as Clumsy storms off.) Hefty (quietly, to Papa): Aspheera stole his Elemental Fire. He feels useless. That's why he's so angry... and Storm's not far behind. You know how mad she's gonna be. Papa Smurt: ...Yes. Brainy: Lily, if we can't get out on foot, what's the plan? You always have something up your sleeve-and Handy usually builds it. Lily: Well... it's not finished yet. But there is this. (She pulls back a tarp, revealing a massive mech.) Brainy: YES! Blossom: That is so cool! Clumsy: New mech?! Brainy: What are we waiting for? Let's get to work! Blossom: Yeah! It's time we stop running—and start fighting back! Lily: (hands Clumsy a component) Weld this to the manifold. Clumsy: On it- (He pauses, trying to use fire... then sighs.) Oh. Right. Guess I'll grab the welding torch. Papa Smurf: (softly) If it weren't for me... he'd still have the Element of Fire. (Sighs.) He's paying the price for my mistakes. (Clutch, still in the hospital, types dramatically on a typewriter.) Clutch: "That's when I knew both the treasure and her art would belong to me." (Chuckles.) Excellent! Finally—peace and quiet to work on my memoirs. (The door bursts open. Dreamy, Storm, Smurfette, and Handy rush in.) Dreamy: We need the second Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu! Handy: It is logical for you to comply. Storm: You need to help us right now! Smurfette: Time for you to earn your keep, explorer boy! Clutch: What? No, no, no-don't tell me! I don't want to know! And you know why I don't want to know? Because it sounds like you want me to go on an adventure-and no thanks! Dreamy: You're an explorer! All you do is adventure! Clutch: Correction. All I did was adventure. Now I cash big checks for writing books about those adventures. Cha-ching! Handy: Dr. Powers, all of Ninjago is at stake. Storm: Yeah! Don't you see all those snakes attacking the city?! Clutch: May I say something about Ninjago? Its fate is always at stake. Besides, I have a broken leg. I couldn't help even if I wanted to— (which I do not). Smurfette: But without the second Scroll of Forbidden Spinjitzu, we'll never- Clutch: Oh, the second scroll? That's what you're looking for? Ha! No problem. It's at the Explorer's Club. Dreamy: Great! You're a member. You can help us! Clutch: Yeah... no. See, that sounds like the beginning of an adventure, so-how shall I put this? NEIN! Storm: I never liked you anyway. Smurfette: That's it! You're coming with us whether you like it or not! (She grabs him and tries to pull him out of bed.) Clutch: (slamming the emergency button) Oh my! Doctor! Doctor! I'm feeling woozy! (A doctor rushes in.) Doctor: Oh dear! I'm afraid your visitors will have to leave immediately. Dreamy: But we- Handy: Back off, mister! Storm: Yeah, exactly! Smurfette: Fine. Come on—we don't need his help anyway. (As they're ushered out, Clutch winks and clicks his tongue at Dreamy.) (The Pyro Vipers and Elemental Cobras search the temple, failing to find the group. Suddenly, one Pyro Slayer is attacked by Wu's chicken. Aspheera groans in irritation.) Aspheera: Enough, you fools! Find me the Deceiver! Char: B-but we've searched everywhere! H-he's not here. Maybe we should take a break? Get some dinner, come back with full bellies and a fresh set of— Aspheera: Silence! (She fires a blast of flame. It misses Char and hits a dartboard instead. A hidden elevator to the hangar bay slides open.) Aspheera: A lift... behind the—th-the—a lift! Char: Yes! Brilliant, my Queen! We found it-together! All hail Queen Aspheera! (He presses the button.) Aspheera: Now... (laughs darkly) I will have my revenge! (Nothing happens.) Char: Ah... revenge in a moment. Sometimes it takes a bit. (Aspheera glares. Char nervously presses the button again.) Char: Aaaany moment now. (Elsewhere in the hangar bay.) Brainy: Oh no! Someone activated the elevator! Lily! Lily: (Working fast) I've shut it down. But it's safe to assume they know where we are now. Blossom: At least that buys us a little time to think. Hefty: So... what do we do? Brainy: I really wish Dreamy and the others were here right now. Clumsy: Then I guess we fight. Powers or no powers. Blossom: Clumsy, are you sure? Even with Hefty and Brainy, I don't know if we can handle all of them. Papa Smurf: No. I will pay for my mistakes. Alone. Hefty: You can't do that. Aspheera would destroy you. Blossom: Exactly! We're upset, but- Papa Smurf: Perhaps that is for the best. Brainy: W-what? How can you say that? Papa Smurf: Because Clumsy was right. I cannot teach responsibility if I refuse to take responsibility myself. You have all suffered for my mistakes. For that... I am truly sorry. Allow me to make amends. Clumsy: Papa, don't. I'm sorry I lashed out. We all make mistakes. But turning yourself over to Aspheera would just be another one. She can't be trusted. She'd still be dangerous-and besides... (steps forward) We're family. We stick together. No matter what. (Clumsy hugs Papa Smurf. Brainy and Blossom tear up.) Clumsy: ...What? Brainy: That was... beautiful. Blossom: Yeah. Really beautiful. Hefty: Then let's get ready to kick some Serpentine butt— together. Everyone except Papa Smurf: Yeah!

Never Trust a Human (Papa Smurf stands before Clumsy, Hefty, Brainy, Blossom, and Lily. His expression grows distant.) Papa Smurf: In the time of my father—the First Spinjitzu Master-there was peace between humans and the Serpentine. But it was a fragile peace. Humans were forbidden from entering Serpentine lands... and the Serpentine were forbidden from ours. (The scene fades into a flashback.) FLASHBACK - YEARS AGO (A young Papa Smurf and Gargamel, both children, spar playfully with wooden staffs near a lake.) Young Papa Smurf: Ugh, I'm tired of the lake. I don't feel like swimming today. Young Gargamel: Then what do you want to do? (Young Papa Smurf points toward a weathered wooden sign carved with a snake symbol.) Young Papa Smurf: I want to go that way. Young Gargamel: That's Serpentine Valley, Papa. We're not allowed there. Father promised King Mambo, remember? Young Papa Smurf: No one will ever know. We'll just take a quick look and come right back. Come on-don't you want to see the Serpentine? Aren't you even a little curious? (Gargamel hesitates... then sighs. They sneak forward and peer through the bushes.) Young Papa Smurf: ...Whoa. (Below them, Hypnobrai work in the valley-some carrying heavy loads, others hammering a metal stake into the ground.) Young Gargamel: Okay, you've seen it. That's enough. Let's go-before someone- (A sharp hiss echoes.) (Hypnobrai warriors suddenly surround them, swords drawn.) Young Papa Smurf & Young Gargamel: ..! (Both boys drop their staffs as they're seized.) (The scene shifts to the looming pyramid of King Mambo V as the guards escort them inside.) (King Mambo V coils upon his throne, towering over the two frightened boys.) King Mambo V: You... are the children of the First Spinjitzu Master? Young Gargamel: Y-Yes, Your Majesty. Young Papa Smurf: We're sorry! We didn't mean to- King Mambo V: Silence! (Mambo slithers down from his throne, eyes glowing.) King Mambo V: You have recklessly endangered a peace between humans and Serpentine that has endured for millennia. Your foolish actions place me in... a most difficult position. (From the shadows, young Aspheera and Char watch quietly. Papa Smurf notices them, confused.) Royal Advisor: They are the sons of the First Spinjitzu Master, Sire. We must proceed... cautiously. King Mambo V: Then they will spend the night in a cell. Let them reflect on their recklessness. Royal Advisor: A wise judgment, Your Majesty. (Two Hypnobrai escort the boys into a dim stone cell and lock the door.) Young Gargamel: I can't believe this! This is all your fault! I'm telling Father everything! Young Papa Smurf: You wanted to go too! I asked you, and you- Young Gargamel: I said no! N-O! I said we shouldn't-but you wouldn't— ...Huh? (A shadow moves. Aspheera steps into view outside the cell.) Young Aspheera: Is it true? You are the children of the First Spinjitzu Master? Young Papa Smurf: Wh-Who are you? (Aspheera smiles softly.) Young Gargamel: What do you want from us? Young Aspheera: My name is Aspheera. I am training to become a sorceress in service to the king. (She studies them curiously.) Aspheera: Tell me... do you truly know the secrets of Spinjitzu? (The boys hesitate.) Aspheera: For a price, perhaps I could help you. I know several spells already. One of them... bends steel. Young Papa Smurf: What price? Young Gargamel: We don't have any money. Aspheera: I do not speak of coin. (She steps closer.) Aspheera: I ask only for friendship. Who says serpents and humans cannot be friends? Between friends, there must be trust. Sharing. You will share the secrets of Spinjitzu with me. Young Gargamel: Deal! Just let us out! (Aspheera turns to Papa Smurf.) Aspheera: You as well. I wish to hear you say it. Promise me. (Gargamel nods urgently. Papa Smurf hesitates... then swallows.) Young Papa Smurf: ...l promise. (Aspheera's smile widens. She laughs softly and chants a spell. The cell door creaks open.) (The boys race through the corridors and disappear into the night.) Papa Smurf (narrating): Aspheera freed us... and we ran all the way home. (Young Papa Smurf and Gargamel quietly sneak into the monastery.) First Spinjitzu Master: And where have you two been? (They freeze.) Young Gargamel: At the lake! Papa caught a fish, but it snapped the line, so we spent the rest of the day trying to catch it again. (Both force a smile.) First Spinjitzu Master: Is that so? (Papa and Gargamel exchange a nervous glance.) Young Papa Smurf: W-What are you working on, Father? (Papa steps closer to a table covered in scrolls. Gargamel follows.) First Spinjitzu Master: Oh... just something new. Young Papa Smurf: (reading) "The Art of Forbidden Spinjitzu." Young Gargamel: Forbidden Spinjitzu?! Are those for us? First Spinjitzu Master: No. They are far too powerful. Papa & Gargamel (together): Aww... First Spinjitzu Master: Enough curiosity for one day. Off to bed. Both of you. (That night. Gargamel sleeps. Papa Smurf lies awake, staring at the ceiling.) Papa Smurf (narrating): That night, I could not sleep. The promise weighed heavily on me. A promise Gargamel had no intention of keeping... but one I believed I must honor. (The next day. Papa Smurf walks alone through the forest and meets Aspheera.) Aspheera: You returned. Young Papa Smurf: I came to keep my promise. But I require one from you in return. Aspheera: A promise? Young Papa Smurf: You must vow never to use Spinjitzu for evil. (Aspheera pauses... then nods.) Papa Smurf (narrating): She gave her word. And I trusted her. (Aspheera watches Papa turn away, her expression hardening.) Papa Smurf (narrating): Much to my regret. (Montage: Papa teaching Aspheera Spinjitzu. She stumbles. He helps her up. She fails again. He corrects her stance. She succeeds-spinning at last. Her power grows. She accidentally knocks Papa over. They laugh. She helps him up. They bow. They part ways.) (Papa approaches his home. Suddenly-) Young Gargamel: Where have you been? Young Papa Smurf: N-Nowhere. Young Gargamel: Don't lie to me! I saw you. You were with her. You were teaching that snake Spinjitzu! Young Papa Smurf: I had to, Gargamel! We made a promise! Young Gargamel: You can't trust her! She's a slimy snake! (He shoves Papa.) Young Papa Smurf: Don't call her that! (Papa pushes back. Gargamel shoves him harder, knocking him to the ground.) Young Papa Smurf: Ah! You-you hurt me! (Gargamel storms away.) Papa Smurf (narrating): For weeks after that... we barely spoke. (Young Papa Smurf walks alone, kicking a stone in frustration. Suddenly, he notices villagers fleeing their homes, carrying what they can.) Young Papa Smurf: What happened?! Villager: King Mambo has been overthrown! A Serpentine queen who knows Spinjitzu has taken control! (throws a punch) She's marching on our lands! (The villager rushes off.) Second Villager: If you're smart, you'll leave-now! (Papa Smurf sprints home and slides the door open.) Young Papa Smurf: I... I need your help. Young Gargamel: What is it? Papa Smurf (narrating): I told Gargamel everything. We set aside our anger and faced the truth together. To undo our mistake, we would have to disobey our father... for the second time. (They enter the chamber of the Scrolls of Forbidden Spinjitzu.) Young Papa Smurf: There. The Forbidden Scrolls. (They each take one. Papa's glows gold. Gargamel's glows purple. Energy surges through them-Creation through Papa, Destruction through Gargamel.) (Forest clearing. Papa raises his staff and spins.) Papa Smurf (narrating): The power was unlike anything we had ever known. It felt as though... (cut to Gargamel spinning) we had reached our true potential in an instant. (Papa strikes a boulder, splitting it in two.) Papa Smurf (narrating): It was a wonderful feeling. And a terrible one. (They spy from behind bushes. King Mambo V is chained beside Aspheera.) Aspheera: King Mambo has failed you! The truce was broken-and he did nothing! He is weak! (She performs Spinjitzu, knocking Mambo aside. The Hypnobrai gasp.) Aspheera: But I am not. Behold... the power of Spinjitzu! (Papa and Gargamel fight past guards and burst into Aspheera's pyramid.) Aspheera: (to Char) When Ninjago is mine, I shall rename it after myself. (Char pours her a drink.) Char: "Asphago?" Aspheera: Aspheera, you idiot! Char: Ah! Much better. Yes, yes. (nods eagerly) Young Papa Smurf: That's a terrible name! Aspheera: You! Young Papa Smurf: You broke your promise! You swore never to use Spinjitzu for evil! Aspheera: Is it evil to be strong? To have ambition? To cast aside the weak and seize control? (She laughs.) Aspheera: Oh, Papa... you still know so little about the world. Young Papa Smurf: I learned something from you. Never trust a snake. Aspheera: Guards! (Hypnobrai charge.) Young Gargamel: I'll handle them! You deal with her! Aspheera: "Deal with me," if you can. Now that I know all your secrets! Young Papa Smurf: You don't know all of them! (He unleashes Forbidden Spinjitzu. Creation surges through him as Aspheera counters with her own Spinjitzu. The tornadoes collide, blasting her back.) Aspheera: Aah! (They clash again. Aspheera stumbles.) Aspheera: You deceived me! You promised to teach me Spinjitzu-but this... I have never seen! Young Papa Smurf: I didn't deceive you. I simply didn't teach you everything. (Papa strikes her staff aside and delivers a final spinning blow, knocking her to the ground.) Aspheera: Ahh! Oof! (Gargamel finishes the guards.) Aspheera: I yield! I yield! (Papa raises his staff... then stops. He lowers it and drops it. Gargamel does the same.) Papa Smurf (narrating): And so... Aspheera was defeated. The power of the Forbidden Scroll proved too great-even for her sorcery. (Aspheera lies on the ground, exhausted but alive.) Papa Smurf (narrating): King Mambo was restored to his rightful throne. (King Mambo V emerges from the pyramid. The Hypnobrai cheer and bow.) Papa Smurf (narrating): And peace... was preserved. (The tone darkens.) Papa Smurf (narrating): As for Aspheera... (Stone corridors lined with prison cells. Papa Smurf walks slowly, conflicted.) Aspheera: Papa... please. Help me, as I helped you. Young Papa Smurf: King Mambo has decreed your punishment. You are to be entombed-by magic- until such time as your sins are forgotten. Aspheera: Papa, I beg you! Release me! Young Papa Smurf: You would have plunged all of Ninjago into war and suffering. Aspheera: I spared you and your brother! I ask only the same mercy! (Papa hesitates... then shakes his head.) Young Papa Smurf: I'm sorry. (He turns away.) Aspheera: Release me! I saved you-and you betray me?! You abandon me?! (She slams against the cell door.) Aspheera: You... treacherous dog! You deceiver! (Papa and Gargamel walk away from the pyramid.) Aspheera (echoing) : You will pay for this, Papa! Do you hear me?! (Papa pauses, gripping his staff.) Aspheera: If it takes a thousand years... I will have my revenge! (Papa looks back one final time... then turns and walks away.)