Discovering Destiny

In this chapter, we'll just look into the family lives of some of the ninja & Garmadon finally makes another real appearance in the story. Hopefully, the ninja will really get into action in a few chapters so bear with me a little longer & read on.

Chapter 13: Family Ties

Zane remained silent, unsure if he should reveal his misgivings over being a robot to his father. He still felt like that would be an act of betrayal and he didn't want to get rid of the gratitude he felt for being brought to this world. The humanoid merely watched his father eat another of his homemade meals, blissfully unaware of his son's internal dilemma.

"Zane, is something bothering you?" Dr. Julien noticed that his son would point his optics downward and nowhere else. He was always a quiet person but the silence tonight had an uneasy tension.

The ice ninja didn't like having any negative feelings towards his father nor did he like keeping secrets from him. He felt his father had every right to know how he felt regarding his differences.

"Father… I am not satisfied with the way I am currently..." Zane answered after moments of silence.

"I know what it's like to be looked down on simply for being who you are. I was bullied just because I was being who I am. Now tell me, why are you so upset?" The former engineer kept asking questions.

"I am facing those same issues in school… However, that is not the main cause of my concerns..." The android hesitated, still fearful of how his father will react to his growing resentment.

"What is it? No matter what others say, you are my son. I would do anything, anything, to make sure you'll find happiness. Please, tell me what troubles you so I can fix it."

The humanoid's concerns of sounding ungrateful still haunted him. He also loathed causing distress for his father but he must choose.

Should he forever conceal his secrets in exchange for his father's happiness or express his true feelings and make all those years of hard work go to waste?

Whichever choice he makes, both of them can't be happy at the same time...

"Zane, please tell me what's bothering you." Dr. Julien pleaded his son to answer.

Zane hesitated, something he rarely did.

"Father… I do not want to 'function'… I want to truly live..." He finally confessed his inner turmoil.

"What do you mean? You're already alive." His father was confused but still concerned for his child.

"I exist… but not on the same level as humans… or a person… I can already do what takes years for any human to master. I do not like that. I am already very different simply for not being an organic person. I do not want to be any more different than I already am. Instead of having a variety of skills installed within me, I want to actually learn them. I can never truly make my own experiences if I am unable to learn and build my own skills."

"What are you really trying to say?"

"Father, there are some functions within me that I wish was uninstalled. I have been seen as superior and I do not want that either. I want to live just like real humans."

"What kind of functions?"

"Perhaps you could modify my programming so I will have to find ways to solve my problems without constant reliance on my database..."

"So you don't like the vast knowledge I've given you?"

"...I have been seen as superior because of my programming but I do not want that… I am sorry..."

A deep frown appeared on the old engineer's face, as if to confirm Zane's fears. He had disappointed his father for building him into the android he is today. But suddenly, his father's face changed into an expression full of understanding.

"Don't ever apologize for having feelings. Every emotion you feel, from joy to rage, they are all part of being a person. I won't hold any grudges against you for feeling what you feel right now." He reassured his son.

"But I do not feel like a person… I want to be able to learn on the same level as humans and take part in the lessons they learn in life… That is… if I even have a life..."

"You do have a life," Dr. Julien affirmed his beliefs, "I created you so you can experience a life amongst humans. I made you to learn and experience every lesson in life."

"But I am still separate from them… This life I lead right now… It is not what I want..."

Dr. Julien was old but when it came to helping his son feel like he truly belonged, he had just enough energy in him to make that happen, even if it meant undoing some of the hard work he had done for many years. He was that devoted to his one and only child.

"If being modified is what you truly want… I'll see what I can do..." He proposed.

"Thank you... Father..."

Conflict was just another everyday happenstance in the Charbonneau mansion. It was something the laid-back Cole had come to terms with but didn't accept, not that he'll tell his father.

"Cole! You've been gone since this morning! Are you up to something?" Lou interrogated his son upon his return from his now lengthier days away from home.

"My friends and I are having study sessions. Exams are coming soon." Cole had no qualms about lying to his father. He's been doing it for years and that was how he even managed to get away from him at all. Otherwise, he would've been brainwashed into a clone of his parent.

"Those grades better be impressive! At least you'll be good at something!"

Cole rolled his eyes at his father's derisive words and locked himself in his room, the only place where he felt comfortable in this oversized hellhole. This was his personal sanctuary, filled with posters and memorabilia of many of his favorite bands, usually rock, instead of ostentatious furniture like the rest of this glorified prison.

His loud bass-filled ringtone went off just before he can finally take his mind off his father.

It was a message from Jay. He sure had a way of being a chatterbox even without using his voice.

'Cole, Kai and I are gonna see a movie! You wanna come?' The lightning ninja invited him to a day out but after the earlier argument with his father already did wonders for his mood.

'I'm not in the mood. Maybe some other time.' Cole texted back and left without waiting for a reply.

Even if it was getting late, the earth ninja thought of only one place to go.

The only other room in the mansion Cole didn't mind being in was the makeshift gym. Being a dancer, Lou reserved the room so he can stay in shape and then wanted his son to do the same. But the earth ninja never used this gym to hone his dance moves. He spent much of his days here lifting weights and working out to release his stress. As one can tell by his large musculature, he had a lot of stress he had let out on a daily basis.

While lifting some of the dumbbells, Cole's mind drifted to the people in his life.

It's said that family was the most important relationship to a person...

But would that saying still hold true if the only family he had was a pretentious demanding father who didn't have a single ounce of care or concern for him other than following in his footsteps?

Parents are supposed to be loving and supportive and he never felt that with his father.

As for his mother… he'll never know for certain… Though he often wondered what she ever saw in his father… It'll probably be forever one of life's biggest mysteries...

The earth ninja's thoughts then drifted to his friends he now trained alongside.

They weren't family but they understood and accepted him much more than his father. Scratch that. His father didn't accept him at all and he never will. His friends were all he needed.

He was probably friends with Lloyd because they had more in common than they realized. The earth ninja understood the struggles of having father he didn't want to end up emulating in every way and was judged and seen for just some aspects of themselves rather than a whole. All they wanted was to be accepted for who they really were.

Underneath his cool demeanor and large muscles, Cole wasn't as strong as even he believed.

Cole often thought of running away but as much as he wanted to, he knew that'll lead to more trouble than what it's worth and only a selfish coward would do that. Running away from his problems won't make them disappear, even with that grossly overrated princess movie saying otherwise. Becoming a ninja may have added to his problems but he still won't back down. He may not be as strong as people say he was but he was still rock solid. He knew where his loyalty lies and it's with his friends. Nothing will stop him from fulfilling his duty, no matter what happens… or what it will be...

Garmadon inspected his nautical-themed henchmen rushing to complete their various weapons and vessels that'll be utilized in the warlord's conquest for Ninjago.

"I want all the mechanical sharks done before the end of the month!" He commanded, "We've been doing nothing but build, build, build! Ninjago's not gonna conquer itself you know!"

The Shark Army were working as fast as they can to build a variety of mechanisms. Their overlord was extremely demanding and wanted nothing less than utter perfection. He even threatened to shoot any failures out of the volcano even before they can set out on their first mission. The dark lord stormed to his office where his spies delivered the latest news regarding anything that may oppose him.

"My lord, our spies have picked up rumors that Master Wu is scheming to overthrow your plans," One of his goons reported, "It's suspected that he's forming some sort of top secret organization."

"What!? That old man has been a thorn on my side since the day we were born!" Garmadon's blood boiled just thinking about his nosy brother.

"I-it's just a rumor, s-sir! We d-don't know for certain!"

"Then keep looking until you are certain!"

The dark lord's few remaining henchmen shivered in their seats, fearful of his explosive temper.

"Now go away! I need my 'bad guy remembering happier times' time."

The Shark Army members wasted no time rushing out the door. Finally, Garmadon was able to have a moment of solitude. The dark lord took a sip of searing hot coffee through his '#1 Dad' mug, because he is the greatest dad in all of Ninjago. Seriously, is there anyone else in Ninjago who has a dad living in a volcano and is leader of the massive Shark Army?

But there was one problem…

He never saw his little Luh-Loyd since that fateful day, when all his hopes and dreams of being a father was taken away so suddenly, and by his own wife no less. However, as much as he resented his spouse for ruining his one chance to have a truly happy family, he can never bring himself to actually hate her. Just thinking about her brought up all those precious memories he made with his wife, from facing her when they first met to their wedding which he will not go into in case there are sensitive viewers.

If he manages to take over Ninjago, maybe those happier days can come back.

He can finally be with his wife just like before...

Then… he can finally be a father to Luh-Loyd.

Garmadon secretly wondered if his son will recognize him. True, his face can be seen on every single TV in Ninjago whenever he hacked into the network but Luh-Loyd never saw him in person ever since they were separated.

Also, he had no idea what his son looked like now.

Did he still have those bright green eyes full of hope and life?

Or have they become red like his, filled with the bloodlust that ruled his emotions everyday?

There were many questions Garmadon had regarding his son and how much he may have changed. All he knew was that the answers lie within the city. Once he conquers Ninjago, not only will he become the most powerful man alive but he'll finally find those answers...

Lloyd was on his way home after another day of training. The sun had already set and because Ninjago City had such a large population, there was bound to be some seedy people who usually come out at night. The young ninja made sure not to stay still for too long as he made his way through the streets.

The man was grabbing the woman in a way that was clearly uncomfortable to her. Being in one of the tight alleys near the edge of the city, there was no one to hear her cries for help.

"Keep screaming!" The sleazy creep taunted his victim, "I love hearing the cries of a pretty girl!"

Having been recently tasked to protect Ninjago in the future, Lloyd's instincts told him to put a stop to the harassment going on before him. However, he had just enough common sense to know he doesn't have the strength to really fight back. The young ninja didn't have his sword with him due to his uncle not allowing any weapons to leave their base or their secret will be revealed. Still, he can't just sit back and let that creep do whatever he wants with any pretty face he sees.

Lloyd's instinct to do the right thing quickly took over.

"Leave her alone!"

Lloyd did the first (and craziest) thing that came in his mind. He lunged at the assailant, throwing him away from the woman and sending them tumbling on the ground. The ninja held down the man with as much strength as he could muster before he gave up like the dirty coward he really was.

"I'll get you next time, brat..." The creep muttered as he stumbled away.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" Lloyd grabbed the civilian's hand to help her up.

"T-thank you so much! I -" She stammered until she caught his face that was free from his hood from the skirmish.

The fear in the woman's eyes instantly morphed into hatred once she looked at her supposed savior, Lloyd Garmadon, the only child of the evil warlord bent on taking over Ninjago.

"I didn't ask to be saved by you!" She snatched her hand away from the outcast like he was diseased, shoved him aside, and stormed off as if the skirmish never happened.

Lloyd wasn't too surprised by her ingratitude. No matter what he does, he'll always be seen as simply the son of Garmadon. He started to wonder if being a ninja will really be worth it or if it's really going to make any difference with where he stands in society. The people will only like his ninja persona and continue to despise the true Lloyd Garmadon. If he ever revealed himself, all that adoration will vanish and they'll be as grateful as that woman from earlier.

'Why should I be saving these people after all they've done to me?' Lloyd bitterly asked himself.

All the people in Ninjago City besides his friend ever did was shun and bully him. If that's how they'll always treat him, then he should give them a piece of his mind and do likewise.

It wasn't just the safety of Ninjago that necessitates the Secret Ninja Force. Lloyd remembered he was doing this to seek answers to himself. However, that still opened up a lot of other questions. He even began to consider the possibility that the answers he's looking for will be something he won't like.

What if he really is like his father?

And is he truly more than his father's son?

There were so many questions... but no answers...

The tight-knit Hinata family ate their dinner of ginger pork while spending time together, talking about many things from how Kai and Nya's day in school was to Ray and Maya reminiscing about the past.

"One time, I happened upon a couple of Lord Garmadon's henchmen disguised as ordinary men. I saw through them because they had that deceitful look in their eyes." Maya felt herself go back to the past when she was renowned warrior.

"What happened next?" Kai and Nya listened to their mother's story with undivided attention.

"Of course I was able to fight them off and I didn't even need a weapon. All my experience molded me into a capable warrior."

"You were the greatest warrior I've ever met," Ray commented, "And that's why I married you."

The Hinata siblings were amazed by their parents' accomplishments and hoped they'll be just as good and possibly go beyond what Ray and Maya had done years ago.

"What about you, Dad?" Kai asked, "Did you also do a lot of cool stuff?"

"Of course! I was one of the best swordsmen in the land! I was often called to battle. Remember the time I was called to protect a group of kids while they were on a field trip?" Ray brought up another of his adventures during his youth.

"You've told us that story so many times already!" Nya reminded her father.

"What about the time your mother and I set off on our first mission together?"

"It's been a while since the last time you told us." Kai replied.

"We were told of a giant snake that attacked anyone that came close to its home. I didn't know much about your mother so I insisted for her to stay behind but she can never be held down. We ended up arguing a lot and because of that, we weren't aware of the snake sneaking up on us. Fortunately, your mother saw it first and struck it down before it could swallow me whole. I knew from that moment on to never underestimate her skills. We also began to truly know each other and now, here we are."

The Hinata siblings were filled with wonder of all the exciting things they'll get to do as ninja. They had a lot of questions to ask their parents regarding their knowledge and experience as warriors but their vows as members of the Secret Ninja Force silenced them. They swore to never tell anyone that they were now ninja, not even their parents.

But they hoped there will be a time when they can open up and show their parents who they were...

The Secret Ninja Force were back at the warehouse for another day of training.

For one of them, a dreaded inevitable moment has finally come.

Luna never looked forward to using a weapon despite being expected as a member of the Secret Ninja Force. She stood in the center of the base, surrounded by a bunch of crude mannequins, all carrying a variety of weapons, while she gripped a sai in each hand. Even if she knew this would happen, she still wasn't sure how to even react.

"Master Wu… um… I still don't know what to do..." She said shyly.

"The sai is a weapon, though powerful if wielded by the right hand, is primarily used to trap and block enemies. It is used primarily by those with a defensive fighting style. Luna, that courage you still don't know is there must be awoken. Strength entails more than simply fighting enemies head on. It is also vital for protecting others and oneself. Give me your weapon and I'll show you."

The kunoichi of sound handed over her weapon to her old mentor and stepped back.

Wu struck one of the dummies' arm with one of the sai and bent it on an angle that would've resulted in broken bones if his victim was human. He occasionally stabbed his 'enemies', he mostly used the sai as a defensive tool with the way he trapped them in a hold and disarmed them.

"Now it's your turn." Wu returned the sai to his reluctant apprentice.

Luna simply shook where she stood, just like the day she first became a kunoichi. Wu's demonstration still wasn't enough to give her the kind of courage she lacked. All the things that could go wrong from botching her training to even endangering the rest of the team played out in her fragile psyche. It was already too much for her and she collapsed onto her knees.

The Hinata siblings rushed to help her up.

"Get a hold of yourself!" Kai goaded the fearful girl.

"…I can't do it…!" Luna's lips quivered as she held back her tears.

"Before you can master your weapons, you must first master yourself. Luna, I can still sense the special courage you possess. Fear is a natural emotion but it is unhealthy to allow yourself to be ruled entirely by fear alone. Let all of your emotions be heard, for both good and bad." Wu lectured her.

Wu still saw much potential in the fearful kunoichi of sound. He sensed it in all of his students but they were all not wholly aware of their hidden gifts. This part of training was for the young ninja to not only master their weapons but to build up their courage and take their first step towards their destiny.

But with the way things are right now… they've got a long way to go…

Yeah. Things are slow but it's all building up to the action & movie events later.

For now, review!