Please imagine the "Only One Can Remain" scene in the elemental fighters au where Chen is like. "Only one can remain, and that one is ME!!" Except since Clouse is with the fighters he’s sort of "given up" his position by Chen's side in Chen's mind, since now he’s apart of the Tournament & no longer his right hand guy. If that makes sense . Either way could lead to Clouse blaming Garmadon & still being banished or him begrudgingly teaming up w/ the ninja !! yk !
OOOOOH! I HADN’T THOUGHT OF THAT! Clouse would probably feel at least a little bit betrayed, because y’know he asked Chen for permission to join the tournament, so he might think that he and Chen were still on the same side! And as for him blaming Garmadon or joining the ninja, why not both? Blaming Garmadon and them getting into a fight, but Garm forcing him to realize that he has no choice other than to join the ninja!