Discovering Destiny

We're almost there guys! The ninja are just about ready to become a team! First, Lloyd & Iris have to clear up some things, Iris will learn of the ninja, & we'll really get to know movie!Karloff. Plus, we'll explore some more ninja family lives & what it could mean for the ninja's decision. Now get ready cuz the plot's gonna really start kicking off!


Chapter 6: Who Am I

Lloyd's day just kept getting better and better.

Kai dragged him out in public right after his most embarrassing school moment hit a new record. Even worse, he ended up coming face to face with the one who started it all.

"...Iris…?"

The strange girl happened to be in the very same sushi restaurant. She too concealed her face under a wide-brimmed hat but there was no mistaking those deep violet eyes. Iris seemed to feel the same as Lloyd by the way she pulled the brim of her hat over her face like the outcast always did with his hood.

"You!" Kai stomped towards her, flames of wrath burning in his eyes.

Iris winced under the fiery teen's accusing glare.

"You were leading him on the whole time!" The hothead accused her.

"W-what are you t-talking about?" She stammered but held her ground.

"Don't pull that crap! I saw you yesterday sinking your claws into him like the lying little bitch you are!"

"I was only trying to open up to him!"

"You're nothing but one of those manipulative bitches who just wanna mess with his feelings!"

"I wasn't! I don't even have those sort of feelings for Lloyd!"

"Are you saying he'll never get a girlfriend!?"

"What does that have to do with anything!?"

"Kai! Just drop it!" Lloyd grabbed his friend's arm. The last thing he wanted was more attention. Every last person in the restaurant were already staring at him and Kai and Iris arguing.

"Is this the Lloyd Garmadon those kids from school are always talking about?" A husky guttural voice with a thick Russian accent joined in on the teens' argument, grabbing their attention.

Lloyd and Kai gulped at the sight of the man the voice belonged to. His expression was austere and he was more taller and muscular than Cole. He looked like he could rip their arms off with zero effort.

"Uncle!" Iris was surprised by the imposing man's presence yet showed no signs of fear.

"UNCLE!?" Kai and Lloyd were flabbergasted that these two very different people were related.

"This is my uncle Karloff. I know he doesn't look like it but once you get to know him, he's a big softie." Iris introduced him to Lloyd and Kai.

"Is something wrong?" Karloff noticed how the teens merely gawked at him and Iris.

"Wrong? Look at you! You're all tiny and dainty! There's no way you're related to that huge brute!" Kai pointed at the pair who were as different as night and day.

The Russian relatives looked like they saw a ghost… until Karloff burst into laughter.

"You won't believe how many times people have said that to us!" The big guy chuckled, "I'm actually glad to finally meet you in person. You look like a fine young man, just like every other teenage boy."

"Try telling them that..." Lloyd grumbled.

"Is there anything you and Iris talked about back then?" Karloff asked.

"Not much… I told him a little about you and the beliefs you taught me." Iris answered.

"Lloyd, did she tell you anything?"

"She just went on about how you claim everyone's different," He shrugged, "Also, she said something about you not thinking I'm the same as my dad..."

"Iris is right. I do believe you're not the same as your father. You thought Iris and I weren't related just by the way we look. That's something those teens who bully you need to see. Clearly, you're different from your father."

"No. You're just going about our looks."

"It's not just that. Everyone has their own personalities and thoughts. You're dad… Well, everyone in Ninjago knows what he wants… and what about you? What do you enjoy and what plans do you have for your future? What those bullies say aren't true because they're not you and they don't know the real you."

"It's not just school… Every single person in the city, even the adults, hate me..."

"That's not true. You have your friends, right? And what about your mother?"

"I guess they're nice to have… but they can't take away the fact everyone else doesn't..."

"Have you ever learned to never take what you already have for granted?"

"I don't have much..."

"Sure you do. Even if it's not much, you're lucky to have some friends who are always hanging out with you. And your mother, she must've done so much for you, the son of Garmadon, when she might've also faced prejudice for marrying the dark lord."

"And she failed..."

"Don't be so quick to dismiss her. You do have a lot of great things in your life. It's never easy to see it with the naked eye. Be thankful for every good thing in your life, no matter how small they are."

"I guess my friends still have my back..."

"See? You're more than what those bullies say you are. Don't let them win by letting everything they say and do get to you. Sometimes, you just have to accept that life has its downsides. That is all part of the full experience of life."

"Funny… My own uncle said something very similar a while back..."

"You should listen to him. Be who you really are and show those bullies who's boss. It's completely up to you to decide if you're your own person or merely the son of Garmadon."

Lloyd was a little taken aback by Karloff's advice. He would've never thought that someone besides his friends and family would say such things to him. He also thought back on Wu's proposal to be a ninja. The idea of being a ninja seemed to resonate with everything they've told him. He was still unsure of who he truly was deep down. Wu said being a ninja could help him but how?

There was only one way to find out… and even he wasn't sure if he'll go down that path...


Dr. Julien's apartment was filled with the heavenly scent of piping hot cream stew. On the dining table was the lily Heather gave to Zane, which continued to thrive in the android's abode. Zane took diligent care of it, enjoying watching it blossom and grow… much like humans do…

"Delicious!" The old man complemented, "Zane, you truly are a gifted young man."

"Thank you… Father..."

Zane liked to make pleasant conversation with his father at dinnertime. Not only did he keep his father going with the food he makes but he wanted to know more about himself. He wondered why he made a son rather than getting married. Wu said there was more to him than even he knows and he wanted to believe that was true. He wanted to be seen beyond his origins but first, he needed to know more about himself.

"Father, may I ask why I was built?" The robot uttered a question he asked time and again.

Dr. Julien looked at his inorganic son for a few moments before he finally answered.

"When I built you, I also programmed you to protect those who can't protect themselves." He began.

"Even from Garmadon?"

"In a way… yes… But that's not all you are… I could've also programmed you to know much more, but where's the beauty in that? You can't really learn or grow if you were able to know and do absolutely everything. Everyone learns from mistakes. I want you to truly experience life and everything it has to offer, both good and bad. To truly grow up and learn… that's what makes you a person. Even after I've programmed you to protect others, that's not your true purpose in life. That is for you to decide, not me. That's what really makes you a person no different than humans."

"Can a robot really be a… 'person'…?"

"Yes… that's what I believe… You're making your own experiences and learning new things everyday. That's what makes you a person. Zane, you are unique. Everyone is unique. That's what already makes you the same as them, no matter if you're man or machine."

Zane wanted to believe his father. He wanted to do more than just coexisting with humans. He wanted to also know more about himself, what sets him apart from humans, even if he was one of them. Wu's proposal to be a ninja might just provide the answers...


Cole sometimes wished he could stay with the music club forever. He gazed at the mansion built in the wealthier districts of Ninjago City… his home…

But to him, no matter how big or comfortable it is, that place wasn't truly home if it meant having to deal with his father everyday. Sighing in defeat, he let himself in, knowing what he'll get himself into.

"Cole, where have you been?" Lou asked in a demanding tone rather than one of concern, "And stop carrying that radio. It's bad for you posture if you want to become a quartet dancer. Oh, and lower the volume. I don't want our house to be plagued by that vulgar racket."

'It's rock, not racket...' Cole mentally retorted, knowing he'll never convince his father otherwise.

"Hurry up and change into something more suitable for dinner." Lou ordered before shooing him off.

Cole didn't bother to roll his eyes, believing they'll fall out after doing it so much from dealing with his snobbish father.

Earthy green eyes moved towards the collection of photos on one of the tables and in most of them, there was a woman whose face never appeared in Cole's memories.

Gaia Charbonneau…

His own mother was something of an enigma to him. He knew nothing about her and his father never wanted to talk about her despite never looking happier than he did in the photos of them together. He doubted his father was ever truly happy, not only because of her death but because the resemblance between him and his mother couldn't be more obvious. From all the pictures Lou had of her, Gaia had very dark skin, green eyes with hints of brown, and long black hair that fell in thick voluminous curls, looking like the goddess whom she shares her name with. She looked just him or more accurately, he looked just like his mother, except for the thick bushy eyebrows he and his father shared.

Cole didn't believe his father resented him just for looking like his dead wife. When he was little, Lou pressured him to follow in his footsteps as a quartet dancer. As much as he liked all kinds of music, he had absolutely no interest in dancing the way his father does, which he never accepted. Even outside of music, Lou never stopped berating his son for dressing up like an 'unsophisticated lowlife' and often scolded him for being too different. The teen also held a strong distaste for the way his father judged everyone, not just him. Lou always looked down on anyone who didn't have to privilege to indulge in the obnoxious bourgeois fancies he already tried enforcing on his son and can't seem to comprehend the fact that nobody will be the exact same as him.

'What's so bad about being me?' Cole thought bitterly, 'It's no use trying to be something I'll never be. Maybe I'll be a ninja… Then I'll have to freedom to just be who I am…'

Cole ignored his father's previous demand and kept his radio loud in his room. Even then, a question lingered in the deepest corners of his mind…

'...But without music… who am I…?'


Lloyd struggled to survive yet another stress-filled day at school. The bullying from Chen and the other teens never stopped, which wasn't surprising, but the creepy shippers just wouldn't let up. Since they were expecting him and Iris to have a 'second date' at the cafeteria, he opted to eat outside. The small rooftop was usually empty until after school, making it the perfect sanctuary.

But Fate apparently has one sick sense of humor.

Iris was already there.

"Lloyd…! I-I didn't expect to see you here!" The girl jumped upon seeing Lloyd.

"I could ask you the same." He retorted.

"No one comes here very often… I think... we'll be safe here..."

The two were accompanied by an awkward silence until it was ironically broken by Iris.

"...Mind if we start over…?" She offered.

"I don't know," The outcast sighed, "I can't forget what happened back there and someone might see us again..."

"We could meet in secret," Iris suggested again, "We could meet outside of school..."

"Why are you trying to be nice to me? What do you think you're getting out of it?"

"Nothing, really. I think it's only fair to start anew. Everything my uncle and I said were true. We would like to open up... but what happened back there was a disaster… At least no one's here to judge us..."

"Yeah..."

Lloyd and Iris ate silently, feeling safe for once. Here, there was no one to judge and assume anything. As they ate, the outcast started to notice something about her wardrobe which had nothing to do with overly cutesy lace and frills.

"It's funny I haven't noticed until now," Lloyd started, "What's up with that necklace?"

Violet eyes shifted to crystal heart pendant hanging from her neck.

"It's something I had since I was very little..." She fiddled with the pendant, "It reminds me of my life before coming here..."

"Also, why do you live with your uncle? Don't you have your own parents?"

Lloyd noticed the way Iris suddenly fell silent and looked like someone told her her puppy died.

"It's not something I like to talk about..." She murmured, sounding like she's holding something back.

The outcast was puzzled by Iris' sudden sullenness. Maybe something was also going on between her and her parents… much like himself and his father… It also reminded him of Wu's plans...

"You know... I've been thinking about what your uncle said the other day. It reminded me of what my uncle really meant to talk about..."

"About what…?"

Lloyd knew his uncle may have wanted him to but he wasn't too keen on telling someone, especially a girl he just met, about the Secret Ninja Force. Then again, if Iris was willing to give him a chance even when she hardly knew him. There was something about her that made him think she should know.

"Iris… promise me you'll keep this secret better than I have..."

"What is it?"

"My uncle thinks my friends and I should become a team of ninja to stop my own dad…"

"Why you of all people? There's plenty of people who're more capable… no offense..."

"I know. I'm still confused. My uncle told me I have to find myself. I actually want to be a ninja but at the same time, I'm not sure if I'm the right guy. The glory and not having to be hated all the time… it's really tempting… but I also want to know who I really am. I want to believe I'm more than Garmadon's son… yet I don't know if I should..."

"Then what's stopping you? If you really want it, then why aren't you taking the chance?"

"I… don't know… Also, he said my friends and I won't be enough… we might need new members… But that's not all… Do you think there's also more to yourself than you believe…?"

The violet-eyed girl found the idea of being a ninja interesting.

But is that who she was?

She never thought much of it at first but the idea of finding herself… She didn't really have any plans for her future or what she'll do beyond what she enjoyed and finding her place in this world.

Was this all she is? A girl wearing only cutesy outfits living with her uncle?

If she joins the Secret Ninja Force, she'll also know more about herself… but that will mean having to learn the way of the ninja and directly fight against Garmadon…

Is that what she was destined for and is that even who she is?

"I guess there's a part of myself I don't know is there… I think I should see your uncle about this..."

"He said for us to meet at the old warehouse at the docks. I think he's had enough of waiting."

"What time will he be there?"

"My uncle has his way of being needlessly cryptic but he said he'll be there this weekend… You're not thinking about joining are you…?"

"I'm considering the possibility… but I'd like to learn more from him first..."

"I… understand..." Lloyd remained unsure of the idea of Iris joining the team… but not as much as he himself will accept the offer to be a ninja…


Later that night, Iris remained awake in bed, tossing and turning.

Being a ninja would be extraordinary but that's not all. She could discover more about herself, which she was actually more concerned with.

She had a penchant for Sweet Lolita fashion and shared her uncle's beliefs but is there more to her?

Without those, what kind of person is she? Will she be a capable kunoichi?

...Or end up being no better than… them...

"Iris, is something wrong?" Karloff knocked on her door.

"Come in." She beckoned him in. The burly man came inside and sat by his niece.

"I could hear you having trouble sleeping. Tell me what's wrong."

"Uncle… what kind of person do you think I'll be…?"

"Unfortunately, I can't answer that question… That answer will be clear one day… but to you and only you… Everyone has to figure out who they are themselves..."

"Did you?"

"Yes, it took me years but I eventually found myself, and I have faith that you will too."

"But what if I'm not who I think I am? What if I didn't like the things I like or you never taught me what you believed in? What if I'm actually like them?"

"You'll never turn out like that. No matter what you like or what you believe, who you are deep inside will never change. Deep down, you'll always be you."

"How would you feel if I do something very different? Something I've never done before?"

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

"I don't know… It's just a thought that came up recently..." Iris hated lying to her uncle but she wanted to keep Lloyd's promise.

"Whatever it is that you do, no matter the experience, you'll forever be the Iris Zvezda I've known ever since she was just a baby. As long as it's something you truly want and it might help you discover who you really are, then I'll support you, no matter what."

Iris embraced her uncle, reassured by his kind words.

However, they still didn't make deciding on joining the Secret Ninja Force any easier...


Lloyd's friends, Iris, and everyone else who were told of Wu's secret plan met at the warehouse near the docks of the city, where the old man claimed he'll appear. The new 'recruits' were surprised to see one another but everyone had been through the same thing over the last several days.

"Luna!" Iris was surprised to see her friend in the group, "I-I never thought you'd be here too!"

"I am too," Luna responded, "I've done some thinking since I was told of the Secret Ninja Force. I want to know if there's something else I can do besides singing."

"Zane…! You're here too?" Heather was also astonished seeing the android again.

"I have been told days before... and it is an honor to meet you again." Zane greeted her as politely as he had done the first time they met.

"So Aria," Nya approached her blonde friend, "Did you think some more about being a kunoichi?"

"Yeah… Though it's been giving me headaches," Aria answered, "There's so much questions to ask."

The teens have all been asking the same questions for quite some time.

Will the glory and power be fulfilling or will there still be unanswered questions?

And will they be able to defeat Garmadon?

And who were they?

"Hello, young ones." An elderly voice echoed from the entrance of the warehouse.

The teens jumped and saw that Wu arrived just as he said he would.

"Uncle Wu! Stop doing that!" Lloyd said in annoyance.

"Let me guess… you were told about Secret Ninja Force..." Wu inspected the girls who weren't there during the first gathering, ignoring his nephew's indignation.

"Yes, but I have a question..." Iris started.

"Go on."

"Why did you decide a bunch of teens will defeat Garmadon? I get that finding out about ourselves is important but what will that have to do with being ninja?"

"Being a ninja is more than fighting battles and defeating enemies. Much like how the ninja hide in the shadows, your true selves are hidden deep inside each and every one of you. You will find what lurks beyond the naked eye as a ninja and unearth the truth about yourselves."

"And you told us we need time to make our decision but why bring us here now?" Nya added.

"You've all been wasting time just interacting with one another and we have to get to the next part of the story unless we already want to lose viewers." The sage deadpanned.

"Viewers…?" Jay tilted his head in confusion.

"That's of little concern," Wu dismissed the shy boy, "I already gave you time to consider your choices. Which will you choose?"

The teens looked at one another, not sure if they're decision was unanimous. They all pondered over the idea of being ninja and the ups and downs that'll come with it. Some were tempted while others weren't completely on board.

Lloyd observed his friends' emotions. Kai and Nya had an excited spark in their eyes like they did when they were first told of Wu's plan. Aria, Heather, and Zane had an expression of intrigue, Cole remained nonchalant (as always), and Jay looked like a new kid wanting to play with the other children but was held back by uncertainty. Luna quivered, both in anticipation and anxiety, while Iris looked like she had more questions to ask.

Lloyd wasn't faring much better himself. He was lured by the admiration being a ninja could give him and he'll discover more about himself, the true Lloyd who wasn't defined by his father. But then again, he'll also have to fight Garmadon. There was already no hope for him to reconnect with his father, or that's what he told himself. Then again, as a ninja, he could get close to Garmadon and find answers to so many questions.

"Have you decided?" Wu asked.

Lloyd finally came to a decision.

He made his choice not just for Ninjago and his father but also himself.

There's no going back…


Really, this isn't a cliffhanger. We all know what he's gonna say.

Now, we're gonna see some real action & an actual plot, plus Garmadon might make his true debut in the next chapter (or when the next ice age begins). Review!