At the palace, an Anacondrai Cultist is serving the Elemental Masters their food while Aria sat at a table observing them.

"It seems that the ninja are the only ones weary of anything" Aria mumbles to herself, she glances over at the ninja, it appears that while they were talking they are keeping an eye on her as well "heh, it seems I'm a threat after all"

The ninja noticed Aria looking at them and they quickly avoided looking at her.

"Hey does she give anyone else the creeps or just me?" Jay asks

"Trust me it's not just you" Kai replies

"Believe it or not my cousin wasn't always like this" Cole tells them "she was once a cute little girl like everyone else"

"When did you notice her start changing?" Lloyd asks

"I believe I can answer that" Garmadon speaks up "a long time ago, I had a close connection with the Overlord" he turns to Lloyd "growing up you actually spent a lot of time with Aria, you and her were friends"

"Really?" Lloyd looks confused

"yes, your mother and Aria's mother Layla were childhood friends so they often met up in Ninjago with you two" Garmadon replies "After Aria's mother died Aria started hating the elemental masters because we were the ones who caused her mother's unfortunate demise, even though her father was on the dark island the two found a way to communicate through their dark powers."

"Aria's mother passed when she was 5 years old, after that she would always be taken care of by different family members" Cole explains "I guess after I left home I never really thought about what became of her, maybe if I paid more attention I could've prevented her turn to evil"

"This result would have been inevitable Cole" Garmadon sighs "as the daughter of evil this is her destiny"

"So will me and her have a final battle one day?" Lloyd asks

"Not unless we stop her before she gets her full power" Garmadon tells him

"Then that's what we'll do" Lloyd says determined

Chen came on the intercom "The tournament of Elements continues. Fun time! Would the following Masters please make their way to their assign arena? Speed, Gravity, Smoke, Nature, Mind, oh, and last and hopefully not least... Darkness!"

"This will be a good time to see what she can do" Kai says

"Indeed" Garmadon agrees

-

Everyone sat in the arena to watch the different fights. The first fight was Turner, Master of Speed, versus Gravis, Master of Gravity. Turner, the master of speed, won. The next fight was Neuro, Master of Mind, versus Bolobo, Master of Nature. Neuro, the master of mind, won. Finally it was time for the last match.

"Aria, Master of Darkness, versus Ash, Master of Smoke. Fight!" Chen laughs

Aria turns and faces Ash, he quickly runs at her before disappearing into smoke and appearing behind her. Aria smirks and roundhouse kicks him just as he materializes.

"She has good reflexes" Lloyd compliments

"She's been training" Garmadon says with worry

Ash turns into ash and Aria puts her hand down on the ground. A black circle appears within a 10 foot radius around her hand. The ninja and Garmadon watch with great interest. The circle glows and Ash materializes.

"What?!" Ash shouts confused

"Cute trick" Aria crosses her arms with a smug look on her face "but within this circle your elemental powers won't work"

"Can she do that?" Lloyd asks

"It is possible" Garmadon replies "I wouldn't be surprised.." he gasps "oh no.."

"what?" Kai asks worried

"I'll tell you later" Garmadon tells them

Aria creates a purple orb in her hand and throws it at Ash, hitting him in the chest and sending him back onto the ground. Chen laughs and cheers. Aria smirks and her circle disappears, she climbs up and grabs the Jadeblade.

"Winner!" Chen shouts

The elemental masters all stare in shock as Aria smiles happily.

"She has no mercy for her opponents" Jay gulps "does she?"

"None" Garmadon replies

A trapdoor opens and Ash falls through "Master of Darkness moves on"

-

Back in the palace, Chen laughs as he watches his Kabuki perform for him. The Ninja approach the Elemental Masters, who are gathered around the bracket.

"What's all the commotion?" Jay questions

The ninja gasp when they see Cole and Jay on the same bracket.

"No, they can't do this" Cole says angrily "Aria!"

"hm?" Aria appears sitting on top of the bracket with her legs crossed

"ah!" the ninja shout surprised at her sudden appearance

"What is it?" Aria asks smugly

"Is there a problem ninja?" Clouse asks as he walks over

"You cheated!" Cole shouts "You changed the brackets"

"Oopsie" Clouse laughs and walks away

"Aria this isn't fair" Cole turns back to her but she was gone "huh?"

Aria appears standing next to him, she placed her arm on his shoulder "All's fair in love and war dear cousin"

"ah!" the ninja shout again

"Stop doing that" Cole looks at her "it's creepy"

Aria laughs before walking away.

"that girl" Lloyd says annoyed

-

Aria sat in the stands waiting for the fight to start. Kai was talking to Jay and Lloyd was talking to Cole. As the fight was about to begin the ninja moved to the stands to sit with Garmadon, who was coincidentally sitting near Aria. Kai sat on Garmadon's left, which left Lloyd to sit next to Aria on Garmadon's right.

"Let the tournament continue! Jay, Master of Lightning, versus Cole, Master of—"

They start fighting, and arguing. Lloyd glances next to him at Aria, who was staring at the fight, watching their movements. The more he stared at her the more she looked familiar to him, his dad did say they used to be friends when they were very little.

Jay and Cole begin to fight without their Elemental Powers.

"Ah, what is this? Pattycake? I'm bored. Release the Condrai Crushers!" Chen orders

Jay and Cole worked together to defeat the Condrai Crushers that Chen releases.

"Ah, they fight together" Garmadon smiles

"How boring" Aria comments resting her head on her hand

"Enough! I know what you are trying to do. If neither of you will win, then both of you will lose!" Chen activates the trap doors.

"We can't both lose. Chen's right, there can only be one" Cole tells Jay

"And it should be you. You and I both know I'm lucky to have even made it this far. You take the Jadeblade" Jay says

Cole takes the Blade but throws it to Jay.

"Winner! ...Loser! Master of Lightning moves on" Chen announces

"that idiot" Aria says and Lloyd glances at her "risking himself for his friend.. that will be his end one day"

Chen drops Cole in a trapdoor "About time. Phew"

"Cole may be gone, but he did not lose" Garmadon tells the ninja "Let what he did here today be a lesson for us all: know thine enemy, but more importantly, know thy friend. He fought like a true Ninja"

"A true ninja is one that never backs down from a fight and wins by any means necessary" Aria stands up and looks at Garmadon "that's what you told me, isn't it Sensei?" she walks away

"Sensei?" Lloyd looks confused

"Yes" Garmadon sighs "when she was little, I used to be Aria's sensei"

"Wait" Kai looks at him "does that mean she knows.."

"Yes" Garmadon nods "Aria knows Spinjitzu"