Welcome to Part Two!

My most sincere apologies for not uploading a new chapter last weekend. I was out of town on Sunday (my usual upload day), as I will be every Sunday for the foreseeable future... so I might have to change which day I upload. I got back early today, which is why y'all get a new chapter today. Next week I might try Saturday and see if that works better. I thank you for your patience and for sticking with me!

I will also apologize for the chapter titles; I realize it may be confusing for "Reunions part 1" to be in Part One of the story while the continuation of that, "Reunions part 2," is in Part Two of the story... that's just how the cookie crumbles, right? But I thought splitting the parts there was appropriate, as I hope you'll agree.

Anyway, please enjoy Part Two.

WAR OF DARKNESS CHRONICLES

Book One: Changes

Part Two: Redemption
Chapter IV: Reunions part 2

Thursday January 4, 2018

After the ninja finished their sunrise routine, they retreated into the house to prepare for combat training.

Morro joined the ninja for sunrise exercises, but he decided to simply observe the combat training—he did not want anyone getting the wrong idea that he wanted to "fight" any of the ninja.

But while the ninja were getting their weapons and armor ready for training, they heard a familiar voice calling through the house/dojo.

"Ninja!" Wu called, "I'm home!"

"Sensei!" Kai exclaimed.

The ninja all ran out of the armory and into the hall that led to the "house" part of the building. All except Morro.

Nya noticed Morro hanging back.

"Morro?" she gently approached him. He looked mortified.

"I—I'm not sure this was a great idea," Morro stuttered. "I thought I was ready but—"

Morro froze when Nya put her hand on his shoulder. He allowed her to comfort him, rather than letting her hand pass through him.

"Morro," Nya consoled, "Sensei Wu still loves you like a son—he hasn't changed one bit."

Morro gently shook off Nya's hand, "Y—you don't know that."

"She's right, Morro," a voice sounded off at the door.

Morro gasped and turned toward the source of the voice and saw his sensei standing by the door, his current students behind him.

"Morro…" Sensei Wu repeated the name, as if testing to see if he were dreaming.

Morro thought he would know what to say, but it all escaped him now.

"I—Sensei," he stuttered.

Misako prodded the others to leave the armory to give the two a private moment.

"Perhaps you do want to be saved after all, my child?" Wu asked, opening his arms as tears filled his eyes.

Morro let out a dry sob.

"I do, Sensei."

Morro all but collapsed into Wu's arms, shaking and crying without tears.

"I just came here to say I'm sorry for all I've done," Morro choked out. "Then I'll go."

Wu held Morro tighter.

"All is forgiven," Wu soothed. "But why would you go?"

"What do you mean?" Morro asked

"You're home, my son," Wu responded.

Morro only cried harder. It reminded Wu of when he first took the child in and trained him. He remembered how Morro expressed his emotions: he cried when he was sad, happy, or angry.

"How do I make up for everything I've done, Sensei?" Morro asked after calming down.

"You must forgive yourself, Morro. That's the hardest thing, but it's the first step."

"And you—you want me to stay here?" Morro stuttered.

"We all do. When I arrived, the ninja told me you were here, and they all hope you will stay with us."

Morro withdrew from the embrace.

"All?" he asked. "Even Lloyd? After everything—"

"Morro," Wu interrupted. "They told me that you say my brother is alive and can be rescued. That meant more to Lloyd than you know."

Morro hugged Wu again and whispered in his ear, "How did they tell you all this—it wasn't that long from the time you arrived to the time you came into the armory."

Wu smiled and said, "You'll get used to Jay's mouth of lightning."

They stood there for a long time, saying nothing else; but each understood what the other could not find the words to say.

Student and master finally separated after several minutes.

"Now," Wu said, wiping his eyes. "Let us return to the others and discuss my brother."

"Then the djinn snapped his fingers and I was transported here," Morro finished explaining to the group in the living room how he escaped the Cursed Realm.

Right after he finished, the oven made a beep to signal that the breakfast biscuits were done baking.

"I'll get it," Nya offered, running to the kitchen.

"So," Morro continued, "all you need to rescue Garmadon is enough Traveler's Tea for a one-way trip. The djinn will let you out. And you'll probably want to take some weapons in case you do get attacked."

"'You,' he says," Jay laughed. "You do realize you're coming with us, right?"

"Why would you want me to come with you?" Morro asked.

"Because we're in this together—we're brothers now," Lloyd replied, stunning the ghost.

"Br—brothers?"

Lloyd nodded his head with conviction and put a hand on Morro's shoulder, "Brothers."

The other ninja joined Lloyd in putting a hand on Morro's shoulder or arm. Kai hesitated but joined the rest, placing his hand on Morro's back.

"Brothers," Kai said, cracking a small smile.

Morro was stunned by this show of affection, but he understood what it meant: he belonged here. He had a home.

He was home.

"Brothers," he whispered almost imperceptibly.

"And a sister!" Nya called from the kitchen.

"Lest we forget," Kai quipped, earning a small laugh from the group.

Morro smirked, understanding that little jokes like that were how this family shows their love for one another.

"Let's have breakfast," Wu suggested, "and then you all can go get my brother."

"I bet he'll be surprised to see us," Lloyd mused.

"I know he will be ecstatic," Misako replied.

When breakfast was over, Lloyd and Wu headed to Wu's favorite tea shop to acquire Traveler's tea while everyone else at the house cleaned up the kitchen and prepared for their trip.

Wu turned to Lloyd when their elemental dragons touched down outside the tea shop.

"So, nephew, how are you feeling today?"

"Where do I even begin?" Lloyd sighed. "I'm happy my father is alive, excited to be going after him, but it's just surreal that Morro is the reason we even know he's alive."

Wu stroked his beard. "I understand, a lot of things are going through your head this morning. But you didn't answer my question."

Lloyd hesitated, but softly said, "I'm feeling fine."

"Good," Wu cracked a soft smile.

"How about you?" Lloyd asked.

"I…" Wu staggered, "I, too, have many thoughts to process. When I arrived at the house this morning, Garmadon and Morro were gone as far as I knew. A few minutes later, I learn that Morro seeks redemption and Garmadon lives.

"Perhaps I can better answer that question when I have had time to process these things—I'm not sure the ride here was enough."

Lloyd shrugged, "Fair enough. Let's get that tea."

The old sensei gave a deep nod. "Yes, let's."

The ninja had split up to get ready: Jay, Cole, and Morro went to the armory to suit up and gather weapons while Nya, Zane, Kai, and Misako gathered other supplies such as food and first aid in case of emergency.

"I feel like he doesn't trust me."

Morro was quiet through breakfast but broke his silence when he, Cole, and Jay started gathering weapons in the armory.

"Who?" Cole asked, even though he and Jay knew exactly who "he" was.

"Lloyd," Morro sighed. "He hasn't said as much."

"He called you brother," Jay said. "We all did."

"And he trusts you to help save his father," Cole added.

This had occurred to Morro, but he was unsure whether it was real trust or desperation. But he kept that to himself and simply responded by nodding his head.

Cole was not having the partial response. He put down the bag into which he was trying to stuff Jay's nunchucks (Jay had already failed at this task) and took Morro by the shoulder.

"Morro," he said firmly. "What he said in there—what we all said, we meant all of it."

"We want you to come with us because we know you want to do the right thing," Jay added, taking the nunchucks and strapping them on his back.

Morro scoffed. "You guys are getting a little too emotional for me."

"You brought it up," Cole smirked, clapping Morro on the back.

"Okay, is everyone ready?" Lloyd asked.

The whole group was gathered in the front yard around Sensei Wu, who was preparing the Traveler's Tea.

The group nodded their affirmation.

"Our objective is simple," Lloyd continued. "Show up in the Cursed Realm, free my father, find the djinn, get out."

"Good luck, ninja," Misako said, hugging Lloyd.

Unexpectedly, she then hugged Morro and thanked him quietly. No one saw the jealousy flash across Lloyd's face.

Wu finished preparing the tea and a portal opened, its colors swirling in an ominous invitation into the Cursed Realm.

"How far from the Mount of Anguish will the portal drop us?" Morro asked.

"Traveler's Tea dispenses the user at a location of his or her choosing," Wu explained. "Just keep your mind focused on Garmadon's location, and that's where you will appear."

Morro nodded. "Got it," he said with confidence.

"Let's go get Sensei G!" Jay exclaimed.

"Hang on Dad," Lloyd said, narrowing his eyes in determination. "We're coming."

Kai stepped toward the portal. "Well, what are we all standing around for? Let's do this!"

Kai leaped into the portal.

"You heard him," Lloyd called, jumping in after Kai.

After Lloyd; Jay, Cole, Nya, and Zane jumped in. Morro was last, but had something to say before following the others.

"We'll bring him back, Sensei," Morro said to Wu. "I promise."

Morro jumped into the portal without waiting for a response. The portal closed up after him.

The ninja flew out of the portal and landed in a heap at the foot of the Mount of Anguish. After much grumbling and fussing, they untangled themselves and got to their feet.

They stared in awe at the intimidating mountain before them.

"Whoa…" Jay voiced his awe on behalf of the group.

Kai looked around and huffed in slight frustration. "I thought the portal would drop us right next to Garmadon."

"My scans show that there is much interference coming from inside the mountain," Zane observed. "It is possible that the Traveler's Tea could not open a portal inside the mountain with all that energy getting the way."

"Well, we're still not far," Morro offered. "Our destination is just through the front gates and at the end of the main corridor."

"Lead the way, Morro," Lloyd offered.

"Right," Morro barely whispered. "Follow me."

Morro led the ninja into the prison embedded in the mountain, passing many cells filled with the vilest of criminals from across the Sixteen Realms.

"Lloyd? Again?" a shrill voice pierced the oppressive silence.

The group stopped to see that it was none other than Chen who had addressed them from his cage.

"Chen," Lloyd addressed the Anacondrai fanatic. "What a… pleasure."

"Well, how lovely of you to say so," Chen replied, feigning flattery.

"A pleasure to see you behind bars, that is," Cole quipped.

"Now that's just not nice, Master of Earth," Chen pouted.

"Morro," Zane inquired, "why is Chen not a ghost? I see across the hall that Clouse is not a ghost either."

Morro spared Chen and Clouse a fleeting sympathetic look. "Being banished doesn't automatically turn you into a ghost—the Preeminent has to do that herself. She had bigger things on her mind than turning people into ghosts when these two and Garmadon showed up; she just hasn't gotten to them yet.

"Lorands—the djinn—isn't a ghost either… I'm not sure what's up with that."

Morro leaned in close to Chen's cage and softly said, "But now she's trapped again, and she'll be resuming her normal routine."

Chen paled and no longer looked to be in the mood for chatting, so the group moved on.

"That's why you shouldn't bother everyone who comes through here," Clouse mocked.

Chen made a grimace. "Oh, be quiet, Clousey-Clouse."

Garmadon heard a minor commotion down the hall, on the other side of the hill in the middle of said hall. He assumed someone must be harassing the poor souls imprisoned here. He let out a heavy sigh.

Then he thought he heard a familiar voice and looked up.

"It's not much further," the familiar voice said.

Is that Morro? Garmadon thought. No, can't be. He just left here—how long ago was that?

Time meant nothing since Garmadon arrived here.

But then he heard another voice.

"I remember, it's right over the hill!"

There was no mistaking that voice.

"Lloyd!" Garmadon called out.

"Dad!" Lloyd yelled, "we're almost there!"

Garmadon's eyes welled with tears as he saw Lloyd, the rest of the ninja, and Morro top the hill. Lloyd broke into a run and quickly closed the gap between himself and his father.

"We're getting you out of here," Lloyd sputtered through his tears of joy as he hugged his father.

The rest of the group reached Garmadon.

"And we owe this mission to Morro," Lloyd added as he and Garmadon separated. "Our new brother."

"Thank you, Morro, Lloyd, all of you," Garmadon met each of their eyes. "It was brave of you to come here.

"May I ask how you plan to free me? These chains are quite unbreakable."

Lloyd cracked a grin. "Morro has a plan."

Suddenly, there was a great commotion on the other side of the hill.

"Please, I beg you! Don't do this!" a shrill voice begged.

"Is that Chen? Begging?" Kai asked, shocked.

"Begging for mercy... I warned him," Morro whispered darkly.

"What's going on here?" Nya demanded.

"The Preeminent is back to work—she's rounding up the newly banished for cursing," Morro replied. "They'll come for Garmadon."

As Morro finished, a large squad of ghosts topped the hill.

"Mortals!" Soul Archer shouted. "Bansha, keep the prisoners back. Everyone else, ATTACK!"

The ghosts began charging down the hill.

"We'll hold them off," Lloyd said. "Find the djinn and get us out of here, fast."

As the ninja clashed with the ghosts, Morro sprinted down the hall to Lorands's cell where he found the djinn exactly as he had left him.

"You made good on your last words here," Lorands grinned.

"I did," Morro returned a half grin of his own. "We need your help and we don't have much time."

"I'm all ears," the djinn replied.

"Okay, quick," Morro stressed. "Lorands, I have two wishes."

"Go on—remember to be specific," Lorands prodded.

"I wish the chains holding Garmadon would dissolve; and I wish for him, Lloyd, Kai, Jay, Nya, Cole, Zane, myself, and you to appear at the ninja's house in Ninjago!"

Lorands faltered for a half second but snapped his fingers.

Just as the ghosts were breaking the ninja's line of defense, the ninja disappeared along with Garmadon. Bansha handed the chains binding Chen and Clouse off to a soldier and checked Lorands' cell.

"Auxil is gone as well," she reported.

Soul Archer cursed and roared, "MORROOOO!"

The group opened their eyes to see they were no longer in the Cursed Realm, but in their front yard. The sun was high.

They were scattered about the lawn, each on their back looking up at the sky.

"Free…" Garmadon sighed. "I'm free…"

They all stood up, one by one. Garmadon and Lorands took in their new freedom.

"Whose house is this?" Garmadon asked.

"Ours; we built it," Lloyd replied.

"You've missed a lot," Kai added.

"It would seem so…" Garmadon pondered.

Lorands walked up behind Morro and took him by the shoulder. "Why?" he asked.

Morro blinked. "'Why' what?"

"You know what," Lorands softly smiled.

Morro simply responded, "You deserve freedom."

Lorands thought for a moment and nodded.

Then, he wrapped Morro up in a tight embrace. "Thank you," he whispered. "With this new freedom, I shall be able to help so many more people."

Morro smiled. "That's why you deserve your freedom, Lorands. Tell me—why aren't you a ghost? Surely the Preeminent would've cursed you by now, as long as you were there."

"She was unable," Lorands replied. "No matter how hard she tried. I can't explain it."

Morro nodded. "I see."

Lorands began to walk down the path that left the ninja's house, and Morro headed into the house, intent on letting Wu and Misako know that they had returned and completed their mission.

"Lorands!" Lloyd called.

Lloyd ran to catch up with him. "Thank you for helping Morro, freeing my father, everything. There's always room for one more if you'd like to stay with us."

Lorands smiled and took Lloyd by the shoulders.

"Cherish your family always, young warrior. I appreciate the offer, but I must be off to find my own family."

Lloyd pondered Lorands's words of wisdom as he watched the djinn's retreating back.

Garmadon came up from behind and put his arm around his son's shoulders. The rest of the ninja gathered around the two in a semicircle, shoulder to shoulder.

"Thank you for coming for me," Garmadon said.

"Of course we came for you," Lloyd replied.

"Son," Garmadon frowned, "I sense something is troubling you."

Lloyd sighed. "It's Morro… I treated him pretty harshly when he arrived here. I didn't think his desire for redemption was much more than a pity party, but now… I see I made a huge mistake.

"I called him my brother, but that's not enough. I have to show him that I see him as a brother, not just tell him as much."

"I'm proud of you, son," Garmadon smiled, squeezing Lloyd's shoulders. "You understand brotherhood in a way that I could not at your age."

After a few moments of silence, Garmadon spoke again. "Now then; if it's all the same with everyone else, I would like to see my brother and my wife."

Hey! Before you leave, consider leaving a review.

Have a blessed day.