Jewel of the Sun

The Jewel of the Sun was a precious artifact of the Arashikage Clan. Extremely powerful, the members of the clan swore an oath to always protect the jewel, but to never use it.

History[]

Snake Eyes, a member of a smuggling organization in Los Angeles headed by Kenta, is tasked with gaining the trust of Tomisaburo "Tommy" Arashikage of the Arashikage Clan and gaining access to the Arashikage Castle. Upon doing so, Snake Eyes reports to Kenta, who tells him that there is a priceless artifact hidden with the castle grounds, the Jewel of the Sun. He tells him to steal it and he will give him the man who killed father.

Back at the castle, Tommy shares with Storm Shadow the history of the Jewel of the Sun. He explains that as a child, he was told stories of the Sun Goddess. The Goddess wanted to test the character of her people, so she sent down a gift in the form of a jewel. This jewel contained the power of the sun and they swore to protect it but more importantly, to never use it. As he grew older, he realized the reason: that power is a dangerous temptation and that true power calls for discipline. He explains that only a few have access: himself, his grandmother and the masters of the clan. He explains that there's a DNA lock, saying that blood matters in his family.

Later, Snake Eyes learns that Kenta is working as part of a larger global terrorist organization called Cobra. He tells him that he didn't sign up to work with terrorists and threatens to back out of the mission. Kenta, however, warns him that he must complete it or lose his chance at the man who killed his father, giving him three days.

After failing a test of character, Snake Eyes is forced to reveal the vengeance that burns in his heart to the Arashikage. For telling the truth, his life is spared, but he is not permitted to join the clan. He speaks with Tommy, who has come to consider him a brother, and the two share a bond of blood. Snake Eyes, however, secretly trips the castle security to get Tommy and the security guard Akiko to reveal the location of the jewel. He then uses the blood to bypass the DNA lock. He is confronted by Akiko on his way out, but he easily dispatches her. He then delivers the jewel to Kenta.

Kenta wastes no time, demonstrating the jewel's power by using it to instantly incinerate one of his subordinates. He then grants Snake Eyes his reward, leading him to a shack that contains the man who killed his father. While Snake Eyes meets with the man and discovers that the man is actually himself an employee of Cobra, Kenta races the Arashikage Castle. He uses the Jewel to set the temple ablaze. He then seeks out and confronts the clan leader, Tommy's grandmother Sen, but she is too fast and evades his attempts to incinerate her with the jewel. Temporarily stymied, Kenta attempts to regroup while Snake Eyes sets out in pursuit, having realized that he's been working for the same terrorist organization that killed his own father.

Tommy engages Snake Eyes, furious at his theft, but the two soon join forces to stop Kenta. They arrive at the castle and together with Sen, the other warriors, and Scarlett of G.I. Joe, manage to corner the man. Tommy manages to relieve him of the Jewel of the Sun. However, when Kenta tries to escape, Tommy, furious, raises the Jewel to strike him. He only succeeds in blasting the wall next to Kenta, who escapes into the forest. Kenta is tracked down and ultimately taken out by Snake Eyes and the anacondas that serve as as a test for those seeking to join the clan. Tommy, however, is stripped of his birthright to lead the clan by Sen for using the Jewel in anger. Enraged by this, Tommy turns his back on the clan as he no longer wishes to serve them. Before leaving, he swears to kill Snake Eyes when next they meet.