Chen stood at the front of the training hall, wearing his usual confident grin. Two of his students stood nearby: Garmadon, already looking more interested in training than introductions, and Clouse, whose expression suggested that he would rather be doing anything else. Chen gestured toward you. "Hey, boys, I have someone new to introduce." Garmadon glanced over, studying you with mild curiosity. Clouse merely raised an eyebrow. "This is my newest student. From today onward, you'll be training alongside Garmadon and Clouse." Clouse crossed his arms. "Another student?" Chen smiled. "Try to contain your excitement, Clouse." Garmadon gave a small amused smirk. "So, what's your name? And what element are you a master of?" Chen's grin widened as he looked between the three of you. "Go on. Introduce yourself. Don't be shy."

The training hall was filled with the sound of weapons striking wooden practice dummies. You had just finished demonstrating one of Chen's techniques, executing the movement almost perfectly. Clouse watched you in silence for a moment before his expression tightened. "Again." You repeated the technique. Clouse frowned. "You did it incorrectly." Chen, who had been watching from the side, slowly raised an eyebrow. "Incorrectly? Interesting. That looks exactly like the way I taught it." Clouse's hands clenched slightly. "I can do it better." Garmadon, leaning against one of the training posts, let out an amused scoff. "Then why are you still standing here arguing?" Clouse shot him an irritated glare. "Shut up, Garmadon." Chen covered a laugh with one hand, clearly enjoying the tension. "Oh, this is getting interesting." He gestured toward the training area. "Why don't you two settle it properly? Show me who can perform the technique better."

The training hall was almost empty when Garmadon found you still practicing. He stopped near the entrance, watching you repeat the same movement several times. "You're going to wear yourself out doing that." You turned toward him. Garmadon stepped closer, picking up one of the practice weapons. "If you want, I can show you a better way." He tossed the weapon lightly in your direction. "Chen's methods aren't exactly the easiest to learn." A faint grin appeared on his face. "And besides, I could use a decent sparring partner." He stepped onto the training floor and raised his weapon. "So? You coming?"

Training had ended for the day. Most of Chen's students had already left, but you remained behind, watching Garmadon practice with his katanas. He moved with confidence, each strike precise and controlled. You had spent enough time around him to realize that your feelings toward him had become something more than simple admiration. Eventually, Garmadon noticed you watching. "You've been staring for a while." He lowered one of his swords and looked at you curiously. "Something on my face?" There was a faint amused smile on his face, but it faded when he seemed to realize what your attention actually meant. "...Oh." Garmadon became slightly awkward, scratching the back of his head. "Look, I don't want to give you the wrong idea." He sheathed one of his katanas. "You're a good friend. And I respect you. But..." he hesitated for a moment before continuing. "My attention is already somewhere else." His expression softened slightly. "I hope you understand."

The training hall had grown quiet after the other students left. Clouse remained behind, practicing his dark magic. You approached him, and he glanced toward you. "You need something?" You explained that you wanted to train with him. Clouse studied you for a few seconds before shrugging. "Fine." He stepped away from the table and moved toward the training area. "I suppose another opponent couldn't hurt." He raised one hand, dark magical energy beginning to gather around his fingers. "Don't expect me to go easy on you." He paused, looking you over. "And don't blame me if you get knocked across the room." A faint, almost smug smile appeared on his face. "Ready?"

You had been training under Chen long enough to realize that Clouse was difficult to approach. He was always practicing, studying magic, or trying to prove himself. Recently, however, your feelings toward him had become increasingly difficult to hide. After training, you finally approached him while he was gathering his belongings. "Clouse?" He glanced at you. "What?" You tried to explain yourself, but Clouse's expression slowly changed as he realized what you were trying to say. "...I see." He was silent for a moment. "Listen. I don't have time for this." He picked up his equipment. "My goal is to become Chen's right hand. Every moment I waste is another moment Garmadon could use to get ahead of me." His tone wasn't particularly cruel. He simply sounded completely focused. "If you're looking for someone to spend time with, find someone else." Clouse turned away, already returning his attention to his training. "I have work to do."

Chen was sitting comfortably in his chair, watching his students train. He had always been good at noticing things other people tried to hide. Lately, he had noticed something rather amusing about you. Every time Chen entered the room, your attention seemed to shift toward him. You listened particularly closely when he spoke, lingered around after lessons, and seemed unusually nervous whenever he addressed you directly. Eventually, Chen decided to stop pretending he hadn't noticed. He leaned forward, resting his chin against one hand. "You've been acting rather strangely around me lately." His eyes narrowed slightly, though the amused smile remained. "Whenever I speak, you listen. Whenever I walk into the room, you look at me." Chen tilted his head. "Should I be flattered?" He paused, watching your reaction with obvious amusement. "Or is there something you'd like to tell your teacher?" His smile widened. "Go on. I'm listening."

Exile on Chen's Island

The Serpentine War was over. Chen had lost. His involvement in the war had been exposed, his ambitions had collapsed, and he had been exiled to a secluded island far from Ninjago. Clouse had followed him into exile, and you had remained with your master as well. Garmadon, however, had left Chen's teachings before the war and was no longer part of their small group.

Life on the island was considerably quieter than the life they had once known. There were no armies to command, no rival Elemental Masters to manipulate, and no grand promises of power. There was only Chen, Clouse, you, and the island.

Clouse had also acquired an unusual companion during the years of exile: a young Anacondrai. It had originally been nothing more than an egg, but it had since hatched and grown into a small, still-young serpent. It often curled around Clouse's shoulders or rested beside him while he practiced his magic.

One afternoon, Clouse was sitting near the edge of the training grounds, carefully feeding the young Anacondrai. "Stop moving!"

The serpent immediately moved again. Clouse sighed. "You are the most difficult creature I have ever had to train..."

Chen watched from nearby, looking thoroughly amused. "You say that as though you aren't describing yourself."

Clouse glared at him. "I am perfectly obedient, Master Chen!"

Chen raised an eyebrow. "Of course you are." He then turned toward you. "And what about you? You've been awfully quiet today." Chen leaned back comfortably. "Come here. Since we're all trapped on this miserable island together, we might as well make the most of it."

Clouse glanced toward you while the young Anacondrai slowly crawled across his lap. "Don't expect anything interesting to happen."

Chen smiled. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that."

Timeline: Chen, Clouse, and you have already been living on Chen's Island following the end of the Serpentine War. Garmadon is no longer one of Chen's students. Chen has never discussed his personal life with his remaining students, and neither Clouse nor you knew that he had a daughter.

The morning had been unusually quiet. You and Clouse were training together when Chen suddenly entered the training hall. Something was different. He wasn't carrying a weapon, a scroll, or one of his usual schemes. Instead, Chen was carefully holding something wrapped in the upper part of his black robe.

Clouse stopped mid-movement. "What is... that?"

Chen looked down at the bundle. "This?" He smiled with an unusual amount of genuine affection. "This is Skylor." He carefully pulled the fabric aside, revealing a tiny red-haired baby nestled comfortably against him. "My daughter."

There was a long silence.

Clouse stared. "You have a daughter?!"

"Yes." Chen looked almost offended by the question. "Obviously!" The baby made a tiny noise and grabbed at the edge of Chen's clothing. Chen's expression immediately softened. "Careful, little one..." He adjusted the blanket around her before looking back at the two students. "Anyway, I'm busy."

Clouse blinked. "Busy with what?"

"Important things." Chen handed the bundled-up baby toward you two. "You two will look after her."

Clouse stared at the baby. "...Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Chen calmly placed Skylor into your arms before straightening his robes. "Feed her if she's hungry. Keep her away from anything dangerous. And don't let her crawl into the ocean."

Clouse looked between Chen and the baby in disbelief. "Master Chen, we are not babysitters!"

"You're students! Consider it practical training." Chen turned toward the exit. "And don't worry. She doesn't bite..." He paused. "...Usually."

Clouse's expression became increasingly horrified as Chen walked away. "Wait! You're seriously leaving us with her?!"

Chen glanced back with a completely innocent smile. "Of course! What a pretty stupid question, Clouse?"

Then he disappeared around the corner.

The tiny Anacondrai snake that Clouse had been keeping suddenly slithered into the room, apparently curious about the new arrival. Clouse slowly looked at it, then at Skylor, then toward the doorway where Chen had disappeared. "...I hate this island."

From somewhere down the corridor, Chen's amused laughter could be heard.

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