The finale battle
Everyone was having a good time at the party. Lanterns filled the night and some of the villagers even did fire dancing. Kai had to try it out and he was a bit hit.
Cole loved trying the exciting new food and Jay and Nya where playing a few games they had set out as well. It was almost like a fair.
Lloyd even started playing with some kids his age, all of them curios about the life of a ninja and of Ninjago. Lloyd felt happy to have kids his age there where nice around him. And Misako did as well, she felt she could be calm as she sat to just watch him and catch up with her old friend and make a new one.
Maya looked about at the party, finding it beautiful. She was finally starting to feel calm. "Thirsty?" Zane asked as he held out some punch.
Maya smiled and took it saying "Thanks." Taking a sip, she said "It's delicious." Maya looked on shocked never tasting such a wonderful drink.
"Yes, the delicacies on this island are quite interesting. Some of the people have offered to teach me how to make them." Zane smiles as he took a sip of his own.
"The people are a lot more welcoming that I expected." Maya looked on smiling as people all waved and partied, some walked by and called her protector. Making her feel uncomfortable.
"You are not one for titles are you." Zane chuckles.
Maya shoves into him and says "You wouldn't like it if everyone called you green ninja all the time." May flushes.
"No I suppose I would not. But I know I will always be Zane to the most important people in my life." He holds his hand out and Maya smiles back grabbing his hand as the two went out to dance.
Back at the table with the elders….
"They look quite happy." Misako smiled.
"Ah to be young and in love." Julien chuckles.
"I wonder how much more prodding we have to do till grandchildren come about." Wu chuckles.
"Oh, leave them alone. Let them enjoy married life while they can. Trust me it all changes when children come along." Misako chuckles remembering the few short years she had with Lloyd and Garmadon together.
"Still it would be good for the bloodline if an heir was born soon." Jag came to sit with the elders.
"No Jag we don't even know if their children will inherit her powers." Misako frowns.
"That is one of the things our people worry about if she marries the green ninja." Jag glares.
"What do you mean if." Wu and Julien glared.
"I am just saying, the green ninja is supposed to be ninjago's defender and the panther ninja the protector of panther island." Jag shrugged.
"But we agreed they should be together." Misako glared.
"We did but never where. The last protector lived in Ninjago, why can't the green ninja not live on panther island." Jag glared back.
"Zane and Maya both have family back home. Is it your way to separate families." Wu glares.
"I heard the boy was an orphan." Jag raised a brow.
"I'm the boys biological father, Wu adopted him." Julien frowned.
"It looks like we missed some things." Frowned Jag.
"Yes you have. Now jag stop trying to ruin this. Maya has no need to stay. The caves are gone and soon Garmadon won't be a threat." Misako looked pleadingly.
"Yet danger always comes at one point or another. Why does Ninjago get to keep it's protector an not us." Jag glared.
"It's not your decision to make Jag. The council…." Misako starts.
"Are rethinking. Look at them. They have seen the power those two hold do you think they want them leaving." Jag points to the elders looking at the young couple happily dance.
They all looked at each other worriedly, how where they going to explain this to the young couple.
With the said couple….
"You still looked nervous." Zane frowned.
"Sorry it's just, seeing Garmadon getting worse. It feels like a warning." Maya sighs.
"I know how you feel. Seeing the poison taking over him like that. To see what lengths he is going to. I am worried about the finale battle to come." Zane sighed.
"Oh Zane. I'm sorry I'm ruining the mood." Maya frowns.
"No, you are right to worry with what is to come. We all should be more vigilant. I suppose with you instinctually being the protector of the island it is only natural you cannot rest easy." Zane looks o worried.
"That could be it. But Zane, the necklace may make me a protector of panther island but…I only want to be in Ninjago and, I can't protect these people, not on my own. I feel someone who lives her should have the necklace." Maya frowns.
"Perhaps we should speak to the elders on this, Misako may know a way." Zane smiles.
Before more could be said the earth shaked and a roar could be heard over the land.
"Zane…" Maya looked on worried, her necklace glowing.
"I know." Zane looked out over the jungle and glared. It was time.
At this Wu said "Everyone into the palace! Ninja get ready."
The people ran in, knowing they where no match for what was to come.
"I want to help." Lloyd tried to spin but Misako stopped him "No Lloyd, your father, he's not well. He wont' hesitate to hurt you."
Lloyd looked over sadly at this and Misako took him into the palace, Julien joining them.
Nya went to get her mech suit as Wu guarded the door.
The ninja spun into their suits and waited for the battle to come.
"Remember, do not hold back." Wu called.
They all nodded, they where ready for this.
Soon a dark figure flew above them, it was a dragon, a black dragon with red eyes who roared down at them as it landed. Wu looked at the familiar eyes void of any sense 'What has become of you brother.' Wu frowns.
"Let us finish this!" Zane calls.
The all shout and head on using their elemental powers to attack at their full potential the dragon roared in anger but it was barley affected.
"Try to get Zane close!" Kai called.
The others nodded, Jay used his lightning to keep the dragon distracted while Cole tried to burry its legs.
Maya ran about trying to get at it's wings as did Kai.
While it was distracted Zane pulled all his powers together and floated up, he looked at Garmadon and shot at him but….
"It did not work!" Zane said shocked.
"What!" Called Jay as he was slapped away.
Cole went to help him but the same thing happened to him.
"How are we supposed to stop him then? Zane has to be the one to defeat him!" Kia called dodging a wing attack but was soon smacked as well.
Maya was doding as best she could when Zane shoved her away from the wing.
"Zane you okay?" Maya asked.
"I am fine. But I do not understand. Why did my powers not work?" Zane looked at his hands surprised.
"Look out!" Called Cole and they all moved out of the way of the whipping tial.
"Maybe we need to use the panther tornado!" Jay exclaimed.
"We can't do that all the people in the palace." Kai said worried.
They had to dodge as the dragon spat dark anergy at them and the spot where they where was completely poisoned.
"Careful, don't let it hit you!" Wu called.
They all nodded and moved about trying to keep the dragon distracted as it shot at them.
"We can't keep this up. Our power will run out soon!" Cole called, as his true potential flickered in and out.
"The island can also not sustain much damage. If we do not stop him, he will turn everything dark!" Zane looked on worried.
Maya looked around, they were right. If they didn't do something there be nothing left to protect. Then she saw her 'Prowess.' The panther guardian looked at her with stern eyes as if trying to tell her something.
'You know the cure.' She said in her mind. Maya then realized what she meant. But as she was distracted though.
"Maya look out!" Jay called.
Maya looked over and was suddenly invaloped by dark anergy.
"MAYA!" Zane called in tears and fell as he saw the dark energy envelope her.
"No." Kai said as they saw the fire seemingly consuming her.
The dragon laughed in joy at this and was about to hit the ninja when "Leave the alone." It was blasted by a bright light.
They all turned and there was Maya, not a scratch on her, holding the necklace at the dragon.
"Maya!" they all said relieved.
"Zane I know how to stop him, but we have to do this together!" Maya called.
Zane smiled at this and nodded as he got up and wiped is tears, then he glared as he rushed over, the other joining.
"We'll distract him you get to Maya!" Cole called.
"Thank you brothers." Zane nodded as he rushed over, using his ice powers to help him slide over faster.
The dragon tried to blast at Zane but Kai hit him in the face instead saying "Over here Garmy!" Kai yelled.
"Yeah try blasting this." Jay hit the dragons wings and it made him yell as he tried to blast at them but they dodged and weaved ready for any attack.
As Zane reached Maya he held her "I thought I lost you."
"You can't get rid of me that easy Icy. Now let's help them." Maya points ot their friends.
Zane nodded and asked "What do we do?"
"Remember when we destroyed the megawoepon?" Maya asked.
At that Zane's eyes widened "It took the both of us to destroy it, your necklace." Zane looked at it and understood.
"We have to give it all this time Zane." Maya looked on worried.
Zane held her hands and said "I am with you all the way." And smiled.
At that they rushed. As Coel was about to hit the dragon again his powers flickered out "Oh no I'm outa juice."
Cole was almost hit with the dragon's energy but Kai and Jay pushed him away. As they did though the energy started spreading towards them.
"What's going on!" Jay panicked.
"His powers are still getting stronger. Don't let it touch you!" Kai warned the all climbed up some trees to escape the energy, but it fallowed them like a predator.
Maya and Zane saw this and hurried up. Zane grabbed Maya by the waist and pulled up all his power as did Maya as she held the necklace out. The dragon sensed them and roared as he tried to fire at them but the necklace and their powers blocked it.
Then two used their powers to help them get closer, the necklace deflecting attacks.
"Zane the necklace it's starting to crack!" Maya noticed in shock.
Zane looked on worried and said "Hold on!" Zane sent out a burst of green ice and suddenly the dragon found itself stuck. The two landed near the dragons neck and at this they pushed the necklace into it's temple.
"You wanted this so badly. Take it!" Maya called.
The two let their powers flow out as much as they could as they enveloped themselves and the dragon, pushing the necklace father into it's skin.
"Zane it's breaking!" Maya called.
"We are almost there Maya keep pushing!" Zane called.
The dragon began to thrash and it tried to bite at them but their powers and the necklace protected them.
"Not today Garmadon! And never again!" Zane called as he felt his power fluctuate.
The dragon roared in despair. Maya could hear the pain of the real man inside. 'How can I feel this, he's gone isn't he.'
Then she heard Prowess gain 'You know how to heal him.' At that Maya understood
She felt the necklace inside the beast and new what she had to do, she didn't know what would happen but she had to try it was the only way.
"Zane…" May looked at her love.
"Maya what is wro….?" She kissed him and then said "I'm sorry." And with that she crushed the necklace with her claws, and went limp at feeling the disconnection of the necklace.
"Maya!" Zane shouted as suddenly the dragon roared once more and a light burst from it, it covered the dragon, the poisoned land and even the people in the who suddenly felt something in them surge.
Jag said in shock "The power of the necklace it is now in us."
"This makes sense, the island wasn't supposed to be powered by the caves, it was supposed to be powered by the people." Misako felt energized as she smiled, feeling the strength of her powers grow.
Outside….
The light finally dimmed and everything was back to normal, the land was not dark and where stood the dragon was a normal man with graying hair.
He stirred and said "Where am I?"
"Wough, is that Garmadon?" Kai asked as the three ninja fell out of the trees.
"Brother you are healed." Wu rushed up to hug him as he stood.
"Yes brother I am. But how." Garmadon looked at himself confused.
"Maya." They all looked over to see Zane holding a motionless Maya in his arms.
"No not again!" Cole calls as he rushed over.
"Is she okay?" Jay panicked.
"She is alive but, she will not stir." Zane looked on sadly and worried.
Wu came up and said "She is in shock. Destroying the necklace caused her to break her connection to it and it was so suddenly after having it for almost a year. That her mind and body are unsure how to take it." Wu looks on worried.
"I am sorry if I had not…" Garmadon looked down in shame.
"You were not yourself brother." Wu sighed.
"Dad! Garmadon!" Lloyd and Misako ran over to hug him, and he hugged back, but then they noticed Maya.
"Oh no." Misako looked saddened.
"Maya!" Lloyd ran over to check on her, tears almost coming to her eyes "Why isn't she moving."
"She is in shock. We must get her to the healers." Misako ran over and tried to help Move the girl, but Zane carried her back to the palace where they were ready for them.
"Will she be okay?" Lloyd asked his father.
"They will try their best, but knowing that girl. She won't give up easily." Garmadon smiled at his son and the boys smiled back.
"We should head back." Kai reminds them and they did so. The sun starting to rise after a long night.
Back at the palace Nya hugged Kia and then held on to Jay and said "They took her to another room. The healers say they'll do what they can but…" Nya couldn't finish.
"What about Zane." Cole looks worried.
"He won't leave her side." Ny frowns.
"That's probably for the best. Maya needs an anchor in the waking world and Zane is it. Their bond is stronger than even the one she had with the necklace." Misako came out still a bit worried but hugs her husband.
"I longed for this day, to hold you, but never at the cost of another's heart." Garmadon felt his heart break.
"It was not your fault. You were poisoned and could not control yourself." Misako smiled at him. Still he could not be completely happy.
"Well I think she'll be fine. Zane will help pull her out of this." Kai says determined.
They all nodded at this and the Jag came up "We want to help as well. We owe Miss May a great dept. Somehow by destroying the necklace she has given us all the power of the panther. Not as strong as with the necklace, or as strong as Miss Maya, but enough that we can now ne our own protectors." Jag smiles.
"Does that mean you'll you won't force Maya to stay?" Jay said excited.
"It be in honor to us if she did but we understand she has others she cares for." Jag nods.
"We should probably go and tell them." Cole smiles.
"Don't' worry someone is already doing that." Misako smiles as the other looked confused.
Kai decided to sneak off, he had a call to make, and a few offers as well.
With Zane and Maya in the medical room…..
Zane looked down sadly at Maya as he rubbed her hand "You did what you had to. But I am saddened it lead to you being so hurt. I wish you would awaken. So I could tell you we won, and never be apart again."
Suddenly a black panther entered the room form a window and Zane got up, ready to defend Maya.
'Do not fear me ninja.' Prowess smiles.
"You, you are the panther guardian." Zane realized.
Suddenly his falcon landed on the window and squawked. Zane smiled happy to see his friend again.
'I was chatting with your friend. He showed me many things on you and Maya. I am happy to see she is well cared for.' The panther smiles.
Zane frowned "I was not strong enough to protect her from the finale battle." He looks down saddened.
'That was a choice no one could make for her but herself. But I want to tell you something that might work. The people of he island no longer need a protector, and will let you free.' Prowess nods.
"They will, Maya, you must wake up. Please, we have so much we must do." Zane looks down still sadly at her sleeping form.
'She is in deep sleep. But you know how to talk to her in that state.' Prowess comes up.
"But that was only with the necklace, without it…." Zane starts when Prowess chuckles.
'Silly ninja. The necklace helped balanced her powers but your bond is what made it work. The dreams, the shield. It was your bond. Not the necklace. While without it you will not be able to do what you did again today. You're bond will help you keep certain things together. Like dreaming as one.' Prowess tapped her nose to Zane forehead and he fell into a deep sleep.
'Sleep well you two and may your journey continue as one.' Prowess smiled as she left.
The falcon nodded at her and she nodded back, this would be the last time she appeared to them, at least for now.
Inside their minds….
Zane was found himself in a land surrounded by fog 'Maya, are you there I'm here!' he called.
He ran about trying to find her, but he felt he was going in circles, then he lit up his green energy to make a light. And suddenly he could see a path of wilting flowers. He frowned at this and fallowed it.
At the and of it he came to a field of wilting flowers. Maya on her knees crying and looking disheveled. 'Maya!' Zane called as her rushed over but as he did he felt himself step on something. He looked down to find the broken necklace.
'It's gone.' Maya said distantly.
Zane leaned down in front of her and said 'You don't need it anymore.'
'Zane?' Maya asked confused.
Zane smiled and picked up the pieces saying 'It was good that you destroyed it, when you did Garmadon was healed to a normal man. Now he can be with Misako and Lloyd.' Zane smiled.
Suddenly the little family formed a bit away from them and she said 'Their together?' she smiled lightly.
'Yes you made that happen, not only that the poison from the land is gone.' A vison of the once destroyed land now back to normal appeared.
'It looks beautiful.' Maya smiles, then she frowns as the cloud seems to come over.
'They'll try to keep us here, or separate us.' Maya felt tears.
'No they won't.' Zane whipes them away with his thumb. 'Maya the necklace, it let out it's power into all the people of the island, they no longer need a protector they can protect themselves.' Zane smiles.
'We can go home?' Maya looks on happy.
'Yes but you have to wake up first.' Zane holds her hands.
'I can't.' Maya shows the chains.
Zane is shocked and says 'Maya, they are not real. This place is not real. It is only in your mind. You are in control.'
'Zane I am not always in control of my mind. I have lived like this for a long time. I have always had something hold me back and I feel so tired and so scared to face these things again.' Maya feels tears as sad memories come up.
Zane looked at saddened at her memories but says 'I know what it is like to be alone and afraid, but I don't feel so afraid when I'm with you.'
'You afraid, you always seem so calm.' Maya says shocked, the chains moving.
Zane grabs the chains and says 'I still do get scared Maya, but I rather be scared with you then to live my life emotionless and unable to feel without you.' At that he froze the chains in green ice and said 'Please, break these chains?' Zane begs his eyes full of tears.
At that Maya felt her heart swell and she did break them falling into his arms as the golden dust of the necklace flew around them and the field came back to life and snow came down gently.
Maya gasped as she awoke "Zane?" she looked confused.
Zane woke up as well and smiled as he sat up "Welcom back, my love." At that Maya launched at him and kissed him, he took in her kiss happily the two never wanted to be parted again.