A/N: I decided to rewrite this story after seeing that it could seriously use improvement. For those who have read the previous version of Mercenaries of Deception/The Overlord's Hounds, there is a lot of change in store. For starters, I took out one OC, changed the other three OCs (mostly backstory), and the circumstance in which they first interact with Ninjago characters. For the most part they will still be on the same side as they were in the original story. To all old readers of this story, I apologize for the confusion.

Please tell me in the reviews if the changes make the story better or worse.

Important Decisions

The Overlord floated over the ticking Celestial Clock and looked down to Garmadon, who seemed very conflicted. This concerned the entity because he suspected that Garmadon was just starting to show signs of weakness at a moment when his full participation was demanded of most.

"The Clock is only hours away from finishing its countdown till the final battle between good and evil, Garmadon," he wheezed, interrupting Garmadon's inner thoughts. "Why so sad?"

"Me, sad?" Garmadon scoffed, trying to hide away his former upset look and replacing it with an enormous fake grin. "Ha! Nonsense, I couldn't be happier." However, his expression of contentment disappeared as he added, "It's just…"

"Lloyd," the entity snarled, the very word sending shivers of discomfort over him.

"I still have to battle my son- in order to transform Ninjago into my own image," Garmadon replied hesitantly, trying to bring up his major issue with the Overlord's plan in the most subtle way he could think of.

"Battle and defeat!" Overlord snapped. He was disgusted at the fact that the dark lord who claimed to be totally consumed of evil was getting so worked up because of his annoying brat of a son. It extremely displeased the entity to see his ally pathetically fall into such a state of depression over a mere personal issue just as they were both so close to success! "Evil needs to prevail!"

Garmadon couldn't bear to say another word to the orb anymore, in fear that he would say too much and anger him more than he already was. He silently turned his back to him and walked away, leaving Overlord to his own thoughts.

The entity inwardly growled as he hatefully watched Garmadon make his way down the summit. Did that bastard really think that he was born yesterday? Garmadon's behavior had unfortunately proved his early suspicions that his partner was too unwilling to go through with his plan to take over Ninjago in fear of having to battle his son. If he kept this up, he would have to force the man to concede to his orders, whether he wants to or not.

However, a worrying thought still relentlessly badgered him. What if Garmadon would prove to be uncooperative at the worst possible time? No, it couldn't possibly happen! Even Garmadon was not foolish enough to pass off such an opportunity like this just for his son.

And yet, he recalled General Kozu saying something along the lines of his soldiers spotting a few signs of Garmadon's desire of the possibility of being reunited with his son. Troubling as they were, they were an issue that could not be ignored any longer.

The Overlord rapidly descended down the steep slope of the mountain, trying to get to General Kozu as soon as possible.

"Welcome back, Overlord," General Kozu greeted as the Overlord came whizzing into his field of vision.

"General Kozu, has Garmadon come back to the camp since the last time he had departed?"

"No, sire, though I would've expected to see him come back with you."

"Good, then I still have time," Overlord said as he flew into the camp's main tent.

"Time? For what?" Kozu asked as he trailed right behind him, then closed the tent's curtains as to signal the other Stone Warriors that this was an issue that must be discussed privately.

"You recall that you were the one that informed me that Garmadon was having doubts, right."

"Yes, but it had been just a few instances in which he was seen expressing some worry concerning the Final Battle against Lloyd and his friends. Surely that emotion has blown over and he would've gotten over it after a while, especially considering what he has at stake."

Overlord growled impatiently. "Well I regret to be the bearer of bad news, General, but, early this morning, Garmadon showed me firsthand how uneasy he was with the idea of battling Lloyd. This man is worried of going against his son. Do you have any idea how the other side could take advantage of the situation? That fool could easily fall for a well-executed manipulative act!"

"I believe that my Lord has more common sense than that," Kozu said defensively, feeling wrong to have to hear the Overlord speak badly of Garmadon behind his back.

"WELL YOU HELD TOO MUCH FAITH ONTO HIM IF YOU BELIEVE HIM DESPITE THE CRUSHING AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE THAT HE HAD DEMONSTRATED!" Overlord shouted loudly enough to make even someone as intimidating as Kozu back away several steps. The sound of Overlord's voice penetrated the surrounding area so clearly that it caused hundreds of red eyes to stare at the tent in bewilderment and was enough to scare off dozens of roosting tropical birds, making them take off toward the morning skies.

Although Overlord's sudden aggression startled Kozu, he still couldn't help, but think that his creator was wrong and was probably overreacting. After all, his master could've just had pre-Final Battle jitters, if that was a thing. However, he wasn't going to be the one foolish enough to call him out on his paranoia.

He sighed inwardly and asked, "What is your command?"

"I know that when the Celestial Clock finally reaches the end of its countdown, the final battle will, without a doubt, be upon us. We need to ensure that Garmadon somehow does not messes it up at the last second. When he arrives at camp, we must pressure him to continue work on finalizing the superweapon that he has put off for so long. This will distract him from any thoughts of betrayal and keep him busy enough to not notice the next parts."

Kozu walked with the violet orb as it hovered around the room.

"Next, we will attempt to find allies of our own, people who have absolutely no relation to Lloyd or the Ninja. None, whatsoever! After having seen how weakened Garmadon's resolve has become, I do not want to have to deal with another relative."

"But, Overlord, that is unheard of! Who, besides Garmadon, would want to join you willingly?"

Overlord halted in midair and did an immediate 180 degree turn and started closing the space between him and Kozu, until he was just an inch from the Stone General's face. An uncomfortable moment of silence passed before Overlord emitted a loud, short guffaw. Then another. A series of howls came from him as he bobbed uncontrollably with laughter, as if he were laughing at the greatest inside joke ever. It took the orb a while until he was finally able to coherently say something. "I- HAHAHA- I should remember that it has been so long since you have last seen the world- AHAHAHA."

Kozu looked with concern upon his master, wondering if he should be relieved or worried that Overlord was not again screaming his head- err- himself off. "What- what exactly are you referring to?"

Overlord slowly stopped his fit of laughter as he smugly said, "Ninjago History. That is what I am referring to. Everything isn't as it used to be. As time has passed, so have wars. Revolutions. Landmark events. So many events have shaped how territories that set apart Ninjago's land have formed, where people have lived." He chuckled and added, "Just because I have been dormant for many years, waiting for my time, it doesn't mean that I have been ignorant to what has been going on in the world."

The Stone General was still in the dark about whatever the heck Overlord was trying to say and, even with his initial reactions in consideration, decided to voice his lack of comprehension. "I still don't understand what you are trying to get at," Kozu said, and immediately flinched, expecting a loudmouthed rebuttal.

Overlord made a small sound of disapproval, then said, "There are some people who are so geographically isolated from the rest of civilization. They are those who have never sighted a single serpentine in their entire lifetimes. Those who don't know the name 'Lord Garmadon'. Those who have not yet heard of news of the Final Battle. We can influence those people into joining our side. Although it would be difficult to convince them to trust me, it is possible. I mean, even Garmadon gave into the idea of joining me and it was shortly after our first meeting. Just like I did with him, you must promise them something that they must desperately want more than anything else."

"And what if you do not have enough people that want to cooperate?"

"What have your men been mining this entire time, General? The same substance that ensures that the citizens of Ninjago do my bidding will work as effectively as on those you will retrieve."

The tent became silent as Kozu contemplated. Even though Overlord was making his plan seem like a good idea all things considered, he knew that Garmadon would be infuriated if he ever found out what they were doing and would very likely turn to against them. However, there was also the issue that Overlord had brought up of Garmadon's lack of loyalty to the cause. He said with resignation, "Alright, so what else do you have in mind for this to happen?"

"Unlike my original plan to take over all of Ninjago, this has not been thought out to the finest of details," Overlord stated, looking over to his General. "But the overall idea of what I have in mind involves a healthy dose of persuasion, manipulation, and some vortexes."