Ninjago was beautiful at night. The stars shone brightly, like a beacon of hope the citizens had for the future and deliverance of their home realm from all evil.
But where there was light, there must also be shadow.
With Ninjago, the result of the war between Oni and Dragons only millennia ago, the balance was different now.
After decades of scheming, Yakunan, the once former Overlord fell to the light and changed. Lloyd Ryuda Kamiare, the Chosen One, the fabled Green Ninja, and the Ultimate Spinjitzu Master reigned victorious, leaving his own father, Garmadon Kamiare, purified as well.
The residents of Ninjago thought it was all over.
Just as there had been dark before light, there would be light before dark.
As the cycle goes, Ninjago would be doomed once again.
Epsilon, the leader of the Oni, as well as the rest of his kind were residing in the Corridor of Elders. The sand blew and swirled around the legion of ancient warriors.
Omega appeared in a cloud of black smoke, his deep magenta eyes glowing in hatred for the former Overlord. "My liege, neither Yakunan nor his child, Xenudah will join us in our conquest."
"WHAT?! YAKUNAN ALREADY FAILED TO CONQUER THIS REALM ONCE, AND NOW HE IS WORKING WITH THOSE NINJA?! HOW DARE HE!" the leader roared. "HOW DARE HE EVEN TRIFLE OUR TRUST, TO SIDE WITH THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE?!"
"Hikari's grandson," returned Omega, in a tone so soft compared to Epsilon's. "He used the so-called 'First Spinjitzu Master's Golden Powers, freeing Garmadon and Xenudah from corruption as well."
"RAAHHH! CURSE THAT CHOSEN ONE! HE'S MERELY AN IMBECILE THAT DESERVES NOTHING LESS THAN ANNIHILATION!" Epsilon's voice fell to a low, guttural tone. "I will see to it personally that he perishes at my hand. No exceptions."
Omega scoffed, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Quite honestly, I don't care about Yakunan or his child."
"OMEGA! ENOUGH ALREADY!" shrieked the first Oni. "They have betrayed us! We will not accept this act of disobedience! Once we find them, we will destroy them, and the rest of Ninjago will cascade down until there is nothing left, leaving no one to call out for those pitiful ninja to save them!" Epsilon's voice fell once more, as he continued, "I have grown far too exhausted from watching this world retaliate against these pathetic pawns. And once Ninjago is in our grasp, the other realms will soon follow. May destruction reign forever!"
"Your hesitation is useless!" The Overlord hovered around the dark lord, pulsing violently with energy.
"You don't understand!" Garmadon cried, tears streaming down his face. "Lloyd means everything to me and destiny tore me away from him! As much as destiny wants me to, I can't fight my only child!"
The Overlord hissed. "Forget him! He stands in your way now! "
"No!" Garmadon shouted, taking a step closer. "I was put here to protect him! I will never let that happen!"
The Overlord's energy flared. "I said forget him! Get him out of your way!"
"But I…" Garmadon's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. "If I see Lloyd, I won't be able to! I won't be able to hurt him! Not my son!"
The Overlord roared. "You are a fool to believe such a thing! Your compassion weakens you! You will never survive! Don't waste your time with him! The Final Battle will soon arrive!"
"I… I won't kill him! Don't you understand?" Garmadon's voice was small and filled with shame. "I can't."
"You will destroy everything I have worked so hard to build! Destiny binds us, but she cannot keep us forever!"
The dark lord's voice changed to a pitiful whisper. "I can't hurt him. I can't. I'm his father. I'm supposed to protect him! Not hurt him! I can't hurt him!" Tears were pouring from Garmadon's eyes, and he was shaking. "I won't." Garmadon continued. "I love him! I won't hurt him! I won't ever hurt him!"
"Then I'll kill him myself!" The Overlord howled, trying to suppress the stress of the battle. "I'll do the unthinkable, then fix everything when I break the destiny of my enemy! Consider this my attempt at mercy."
"No!" Garmadon screamed. "Not my son! I love him! I'm supposed to protect him! I have to protect him!"
The Overlord pulsed. The once peaceful setting was filled with whipping winds, howling colors, and flickering light. It was reminiscent of a thunderstorm on the horizon. Yakunan's voice was strained. "You know what you have to do!"
"No!" Tears were streaming down Garmadon's face. "I can't! He's my son!" The storm within him grew, and Garmadon's body started to shake. He couldn't help it. The agony of having to make such a decision was unbearable. It was one he had faced before, yet he knew he would never be able to do it. Not to his own son.
Garmadon nearly choked on sobs at the memory. Even though Yakunan wasn't evil to begin with, the fact that the so-called Overlord dared to force him to fight his child pained him more than anything.
"Dad, are you okay?" Lloyd could clearly see the distress in his father's nebula-purple eyes as they darted back and forth.
Garmadon shook his head, a shiver coursing through his entire body. "I'm just...reminiscing the past...our world...our family is so broken."
Lloyd inched closer and wrapped his father tight in an embrace. His father returned the gesture. After a few minutes, the two separated.
"So, what do we do now?" Lloyd asked.
"I...I don't know." Garmadon shivered at the thought. His eyes were wide with fright. Clearly, he was confused and scared for his life. After all, Lloyd meant so much to him. Especially since he was born prematurely. Garmadon, from the moment his child was born, vowed to take care of him.
"We can't sit around and live in fear all the time. We have to move forward, right?" Lloyd laid his head against his father's shoulder.
Garmadon nodded in agreement. "That is true. But I fear if we move forward, I'll lose you again…"
"Don't worry about that. I'll always be here for you. Just like you've been for me," said Lloyd as he hugged his father closer.
"You were always so sweet, Lloyd Ryuda." The destruction elemental held his son for a moment, just for good measure. He didn't want to let him go. He wouldn't let his child leave his side.
Not if his life depended on it.