Chapter 1
Departed Realm, 2016
The Realm was unlike any other. The Underworld was inside a rocky crevice that ultimately had borders. Ninjago was a flat disk that did not stretch on forever. But the Departed Realm was different. It could be described as multiple realms: one for each deceased.
At least it comes with GPS.
If the point of eternal bliss is to relax, then if you want to hook up with old friends, you'd best make sure that you know where you're going. And boy did Samukai need to hook up with an old friend.
There was one particular soul he knew could help. Garmadon had mentioned him occasionally. They used to be friends growing up, until Garmadon has bested him in a duel. Garmadon had stolen the promotion the man felt he was due - oh, did Samukai know how that felt - and ultimately betrayed them again, in the name of saving Ninjago.
Like Samukai would believe that the man who manipulated him into this nightmare would ever have done anything to save Ninjago if not for personal gain.
The important part of this story is that Samukai was sure they had met before. He just couldn't remember where. But this man - he remembered everything, and he had crossed across all dimensions. Maybe they could work out a deal.
Samukai finally arrived. He ducked as he avoided the low-hanging doorway, a space made even smaller by the golden vases spewing purple flames flanking it.
He heard the man before he saw him. "Hello, Samukai," the man said. "It's been a while."
"Hello, Clouse."
