Children of Destiny

I'M BAAAACK!

I hope you all had a great start to the New Year! Anyway, I'm FINALLY starting the sequel of my magnum opus, Chosen by Destiny! As usual, I'll get the disclaimer over with. I don't own Ninjago. Lego does. Now let's finally get the sequel started! XD

Prologue Part 1: Destinies Intertwined

The seasons have changed countless times as did the full moon shine in the sky but memories will never go away that easily.

Years have gone by but the ninjas' vivid memories of their adventures never vanished.

He stared at the picture that was taken shortly after the defeat of the Overlord. The ninjas and kunoichi were all gathered in a group. Even the redeemed Garmadon and Dareth joined in for the group photo. He smiled seeing the ninja and kunoichi's personalities shine in the old photo. Jay was sprawled on his side, being the showoff he was and Kai's smirk had a slightly egotistical air and Zane was as awkward as ever with his eyes closed when the picture was taken. Heather still smiled anyway, loving her ex-robot boyfriend for who he was and Luna wrapped her arms around Cole's muscular frame as he held Dareth on his shoulders. Even Garmadon has a sincere smile with Haruka at his side.

It's been several years since they embarked on their epic quest to save Ninjago. It's impossible to forget something as poignant as that.

Emerald green eyes fogged over as the memories played out like an old movie in his head…

"Lloyd…" A feminine voice called out to him.

"Iris?" Lloyd turned and saw his lover looking as beautiful as ever.

The kunoichi of time and space continued to age well like a fine wine. Her body was hidden by the thick layered pink kimono she now donned. Her brownish gold hair still fell in delicate curls and her deep violet eyes still stared deep into his soul.

Iris also had to admit Lloyd didn't look half as bad himself. He also continued to age well as his figure filled out even more and his pure green eyes had a look of wisdom in them echoing those of his uncle and father's.

Iris walked up to the hero of Ninjago and joined his side, staring at the memories before them. Even she felt old memories coming back just by looking at the pictures.

"What have you been up to?"

"I was just reliving some old memories…"

"You know we can visit them anytime."

"I know but they've all moved on."

"I know."

All the ninjas and kunoichi were now married and settled down as did Lloyd and Iris. The couple still had vivid memories of their wedding that took place in the very beginning of summer. Lloyd never forgot how his heart skipped a beat when he saw Iris in her wedding dress adorned with bright flowers but still kept her heart necklace. The kunoichi of time continued to wear it even to this day but the little piece of jewelry was part of who she was and Lloyd loved her for it. His gaze moved towards their wedding photo as he relived those joyful moments in his head.

Back then, Lloyd would've gagged at the idea of getting married but now, here he was with his wife by his side, very much in love with each other as they had been since their epic journey.

Ever since they were married, Iris moved into the monastery to be with her husband. They felt like they were married for such a long time even though a full year still hasn't passed since their wedding but perhaps that's because they were still children at heart…

The young couple's hands linked with one another, their rings glistening under the light. Lloyd's gold ring had a bright emerald in the center surrounded by tiny pieces of rose quartz and it was the opposite for Iris'. Their hands were still intertwined as they left the monastery and out into the courtyard where the statues of Ninjago's heroes still stood.

The ninjas and kunoichi were somewhere out there living their own lives. Lloyd and Iris began to wonder what they were up to now…

The sound of metal being pounded rang throughout the Four Weapons shop in Ignacia.

Kai hammered down a glowing hot blade, refining it into yet another sword for his shop before dunking it into the water, making sure not to warp the still hot metal. Thanks to his control over fire and to a lesser extent, metal, being a blacksmith wasn't difficult for the hot-blooded man, even if he had some experience before becoming a ninja. He knew his wife will be impressed by all his hard work.

Kai and Aria got married not long after their engagement in the fall with leaves matching their colors surrounding them as they made their vows. After that, they settled in Ignacia where Kai resumed his original ambition to be the greatest blacksmith in Ninjago while Aria made use of her talent in dancing to become a dance instructor.

Some of the ninjas, even Nya, questioned Kai's choice of being a blacksmith when Ninjago is no longer under any threat. With peace reigning, there won't be any need for weapons but it was quite the opposite. Many young men were now interested in learning the way of the sword to protect their loved ones in case the Overlord returns. Thus, the Four Weapons became popular and became the talk of the town just as it did when Mr. Pyrrhus was alive.

'If only you were here to see me now, Dad…' Kai smiled sadly, remembering his father.

"I knew I'd find you in here." A robust voice echoed from the back of the workshop.

Kai lifted his welding mask to look at his wife in the eye. She still had her wavy dirty blonde hair, light olive skin, and beauty mark on the outer edge of her right eye that all took his breath away when he first met her but he saw her for the beauty underneath, as well as her inner strength.

"You know, people wouldn't need weapons now that the Overlord's gone." The Mediterranean woman greeted her husband with a quick yet passionate kiss.

"If that's the case, then why do I have so many customers?" Kai retorted.

The olive-skinned woman didn't answer. Even she knew how popular Four Weapons has gotten since Kai returned to Ignacia. The place was booming, not that she and Kai were complaining.

"But does being a blacksmith have to do with your father?"

"Most likely", Kai admitted, "It's just been a lifelong dream of mine. My dad was the talk of the town when he was alive and I wanted to be like him. I'm living the dream."

"I understand you want this but don't you ever think about doing something more… practical?"

"Nope. This is something I wanted to do all my life. I don't care if we don't become millionaires. At least I'm making a living doing what I love."

"I guess I can say the same for myself with my job."

Aria also had to admit she enjoyed her job as a dance instructor. The pay was good but it didn't matter to her as long as she got to make a living doing what she loved and the same can be said about her husband being a blacksmith. They may never be vastly wealthy but they didn't need money to be happy. They were quite content with their lives right now.

"So Kai," Aria started, "I'm done with work today. How about we spend some time together?"

"Sounds good."

Once Kai put away the finished sword, the fiery couple shared yet another passionate kiss and retreated to their actual residence behind the shop.

Good thing it was now Kai's break…

Up in the north, another couple were enjoying their new lives together.

Cole and Luna were happily married and lived in Meerheim, that is when the latter wasn't busy touring Ninjago.

Luna finally achieved her dream to be a singer and her songs quickly topped the charts. She was even called Ninjago's biggest idol since Estelle, which was ironic because the posthumous 'Black Diva' would've been her mother-in-law. Like it was for the mother of earth during her lifetime, it's been said that there's no one in Ninjago who never heard Luna sing. All of her songs were a big hit and a lot of them were actually inspired by her adventures during her days as a kunoichi and even the ninjas themselves, such as 'Frozen Heart' being a homage to Zane.

As for Cole, he sought a job where he can use his immense strength, which led up to him joining the local lumberjacks at Meerheim whenever he wasn't accompanying Luna on her tours. Right now, they were on their way to the town of Belleville, the birthplace of Cole's father. The earth ninja's relatives still lived there so at least he can pay them a visit during Luna's stay. The couple would've been there by now if they were on a limo but Luna didn't want it. Many luxuries were offered to her, the kunoichi turned diva denied it all, preferring to travel on her dragon and live in a normal house in Meerheim when she wasn't on tour. Cole also didn't like to live with such opulence, even if he was also famous for his deeds as a ninja.

"Luna," Cole called his wife as they rode on Rain, who remained loyal to its mistress even after all these years, "What songs do you plan on singing in Belleville?"

"I'd like to sing some of my newer songs like 'Lorelei' or 'Love Forever' but I'll have to talk to my managers once we get to Belleville."

"If you want, I can also talk with them." The earth wielder offered.

"You don't have to, really. I'm content singing just about any song."

"But I want to make sure you're happy with your life as a singer. My mom was the same. All she wanted was to sing as well as be a wife and mother to her family."

"Are you saying you want us to have children?" Luna asked.

"W-what…!?" Cole blushed, "I-I-I didn't mean it like that! I just want to make sure you're happy with the choices you've made!"

"I am," The German singer said, "I love singing just as much as I love you. I couldn't have it any other way."

"You've always been such a sweet woman," Cole smiled at his wife, "You're always trying to see goodness in everything and appreciate the little things in life. That's why I married you."

"Even if you could've had anyone else?"

"Of course." The earth ninja held his wife's face so she was facing him and poured all his love in the kiss they shared for several moments until their lungs begged for air.

"So Cole," Luna started once she caught her breath, "Do you really want to have a family?"

The raven-haired man's face was now beet red!

"W-well I… Uh… I-I-I just have this instinct to look out for others, no matter what. It's probably because of my experiences as a leader back during our heyday…" The poor guy was flustered!

"I see nothing wrong with wanting to have a family." The auburn-haired woman chuckled.

"But what about your career?"

"You're always going out of your way to make me happy and I want to do the same for you."

"So you really want to have kids?"

"Ja. I would love to start a family with you but this is something we must think about first."

"I understand."

The two shared another loving kiss in the skies.

Cole and Luna were happy with their lives as a married couple but if they start a family, it could get even better…

As for Zane and Heather, even they tied the knot. The latter said she'd do it even if the ice ninja was still a nindroid. She just loved him that much. But now, they also embraced a more tranquil lifestyle in Arbouria.

Just because Zane was now human didn't mean he lost his intellect. He was a science teacher at one of the local schools and he was nominated for 'best teacher' several times. The ex-nindroid would do anything he could to help his students in a way that made them comfortable. Because of that, many students looked up to him and even called him their favorite teacher, even those who didn't like the subjects he taught.

Meanwhile, Heather became a florist and was quite the talk amongst the townspeople. Thanks to her powers over plants, the flowers from her shop were always fresh and fragrant, no matter what time of year it was. All she had to do was use her elemental powers to create any flower her clients wanted and the plants she grew had a unique way of lasting much longer than those from any other flower shop.

The kunoichi of nature watered the irises for her shop when she heard the door to the garden open but she already knew who it was.

"Hello love."

Zane gently wrapped his cold yet loving arms around his wife's waist and caressed the back of her neck with gentle butterfly kisses.

"Zane," Heather giggled, "The plants can see."

Being able to communicate with plants, the English woman can practically hear laughter coming from the flowers but she didn't care. She turned around and met Zane's lips with hers.

The couple of spring and winter took in each other's looks.

Zane still hasn't changed a bit, nor did Heather but it was only a few years but they can see the wisdom they've accumulated in their eyes. The Finnish ninja's icy blue eyes never glowed since he became a human but his wife can see in them that he was still himself. Her grayish-blue eyes still entranced her husband just as much as they did when he first saw them.

It amazed the ice ninja that Heather accepted his proposal a little over a year ago. Having been a nindroid for much of his second life, he would've never thought he'd find his significant other until he met Heather.

"Heather, would've you even accepted my proposal if I were still a nindroid?" Zane asked.

"Of course. I love you for who you are, deep down, whether or not you're man or machine."

"So you would've accepted? Even if you knew you'll grow old and die while I remain young?"

"Yes," The ex-robot can even hear the sincerity in his wife's English accent, "I love you too much to care that we wouldn't be the same kind. All that matters is that I love you."

The two exchanged another heartfelt kiss before the flowers.

"It's getting late. You can help me cook if you want." Zane offered.

"I'd love to."

Just as they turned back to head inside, a sudden jolt of pain radiated in Zane's skull. The white ninja groaned while clutching his cranium.

"Zane! Are you okay!?" Heather asked in concern but she knew what was going on.

Ever since Zane became human, every year on the day he took that mysterious potion, the ice wielder would fall ill but at least he felt better the next day. It's happened a few times already but it was always an unpleasant experience for both of them.

"The 'anniversary' is coming soon," The pale ninja muttered, "This is probably the price I must pay for choosing to be an organic being…"

"Zane…"

"I'll endure. We've all been through worse."

The couple knew this all too well. They still haven't forgotten the physical and emotional pains they've went through during their arduous quest. Even the pain that plagued Zane annually was nothing compared to the heartbreak he felt when Heather first rejected him when he revealed his origins to her or even when she broke up with him just before the Trial of Nature.

The two were more than ready for whatever lies ahead of them in life…

Before any of the other couples got together, Jay and Nya got married.

After their wedding amongst the cherry blossoms, the inventive couple became, well, inventors in Ninjago City. The happily married couple said they have a lot of designs in mind and to expect some pretty neat things in the future. Jay even had Zane's permission to use his own blueprints as well as some of Dr. Julien's works as inspiration for his inventions. With the designs, the blue ninja planned on building a line of advanced machinery that can help the disabled or just about anyone in need. He even came up with a name his new line: P.I.X.A.L., which stood for Personal Interactive X-ternal Assistance Lifeforms. Inspired by Dr. Julien's works and even Zane himself, Jay wanted to give his machines some sense of autonomy but it could take years to refine it and even he wasn't sure if he'll stick with his ideas for the P.I.X.A.L.'s. He'll just have to wait and see where things will go for him and his project.

But Jay was feeling particularly tense as of late for a completely different reason.

A week ago, Nya suddenly fell ill. She would purge her stomach first thing in the morning over the last few days and had some pretty nasty mood swings. Today, she finally decided to see the doctor over her troubling condition. The lightning ninja was wrought with anxiety as he waited for his wife to return with the results.

Finally, Nya came home but she didn't greet Jay or even kiss him on the cheek. She rushed for the bathroom and stayed there for several minutes. Afterwards, the Japanese woman came out but her expression was uneasy…

"Nya!" Jay held his wife as if loosening his grip in the slightest will let her slip away.

"Jay, I-I'm fine. Really…" Nya's slightly shaky voice said otherwise.

"I'm your husband," The Scandinavian ninja said, "You don't have to hide anything from me."

The kunoichi of metal really wanted to tell her husband about the big change that will happen in their lives but she was scared of how he'll take it. She can't hide the truth forever so she can only hope her high-strung partner won't overreact. Or at least not break the electronics.

"Nya, what's wrong…?" Jay asked again, his voice more firm.

Finally, Nya told the truth…

"…I'm pregnant."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!

How will Jay react?

Will Kai kill him?

Damn. I'm already asking stupid questions again but enough about that. I also have to say it feels great writing again (even if I won't get much sleep)! XD

It's good to be back & I hope you're looking forward to this story!

Review please!