Ninjago: Armageddon

Chapter I: Lost

Tentatively, the rising sun glittered through the dense clouds that carpeted the sky, slicing through any gap that they may have left behind. It was as if the sky itself had given up; slumped dejectedly in a sea of despair, even the clouds seemed to droop and sag longingly, saddened by the destruction left behind after the Overlord was vanquished. Yet another monotonous morning had arrived, glancing to yet another monotonous day. Ninjago had become lost in a robotic cycle of day and night, a bland realm stuck in stasis. It seemed as though the very embers powering the essence of creation had finally been extinguished, plunging the lands into a deep, hopeless slumber which even the morning sunrise could not wake.

However, an insignificant beam of light did manage to grapple through, almost pushing against the heavy air that surrounded it from all angles. As if illuminated by hope, it pierced the corrosive miasma which fought it, shining a faint ray onto a small fern that resided peacefully atop a small hillock, overshadowed by a looming mountain. Such a fern, though humble and steadfast, had grown thick roots that penetrated the surrounding soil, breathing life into the earth that fed it. This fern had been planted by a being constructed out of the pure embodiment of destruction – an Oni. But not any Oni; an Oni who fought for freedom and salvation instead of captivity and subjugation. An Oni, who, originally the feared scourge of the realm, enlightened by an everyday cameraman, had embarked on a journey to better himself and the world around him. This Oni was named Garmadon, and the fern was named Christofern.

Christofern had been the pride and joy of Garmadon, and had been the cue for him to pursue a life of empathy and consideration for others. He had allowed Garmadon to see through his inner darkness and unveil his soul to the light, dawning a new chapter in his life; one which he would devote to securing peace throughout the realm. Since Christofern was planted, he had been watching Garmadon attentively, all the while growing thicker and more prosperous leaves, a microcosm of Ninjago's resilience. He had been watching Garmadon assisting his son, Lloyd, with the laborious task of rebuilding the Monastery, a small yet deceptively powerful temple that lay upon the summit of the mountain overlooking Christofern.

The mountain, although secluded, was truly idyllic. It seemed to emanate a mysterious aura of power, rejuvenating the surrounding foliage with astonishing verdancy – cherry blossom trees seemed to grip the precipices at outrageous angles, their petals fluttering gracefully in the whistling breeze, while gentle yet thick mists lapped the edges of the cobbled stairway, flowing like sugar crystals through even the most minute crevice. Hardy mosses sprouted at every turn, a reminder that no place remained without life, saturating what little air they could with their unwavering loyalty. Though the sky seemed to sway with unease, the Monastery seemed to be a place which not even darkness could usurp. It seemed like, even if the rest of the realm had fallen into disrepair, Ninjago had remained faithful in those who had saved it time and time again; the Ninja.

It was 5:37 AM. Kai opened the fridge. After a terrible night's sleep, he had woken up groggy and distant. His hair was an utter mess, a bird's nest of strands that had no will or direction. His figure slouched and his head sunk, he had just about mustered a few sluggish trudges to the kitchen, where cake-encrusted plates and dirty glasses lay scattered across the counter. Reaching aimlessly, he snatched a half-eaten banana from the middle shelf. The skin had hardened and become a muddy brown colour, and the flesh of the banana was tasteless and measly. Nevertheless, Kai finished it off, and wiped his sticky mouth in his sleeve. Plodding back to his quarters, he smiled to himself, thinking about how comfortable his bed would be as it waited for him invitingly.

Suddenly, an enormous flash of light consumed him, swallowing him whole. Blinded, confused and scared, he looked around in all directions, trying to find any point of reference with which to stabilise himself. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the endless stream of brightness that cascaded down on him. Composing himself, he slowly opened them, and his eyes adjusted to the glare of the overhead fluorescent lights of the kitchen. His vision was still fuzzy, but he could make out a dark, cylindrical shape that seemed stationary in the distance. He closed his eyes again, rubbing his eyelids with his hands. When he opened them, a huge wave of relief washed over him.

"What the ninblooey? What are you doing up at this hour, Kai?" said Cole, leaning against the door frame, his hand still positioned on the light switch. He stared at Kai, with a confused yet calm complexion, and a slight but noticeable smirk. Kai shuffled nervously, still bewildered and somehow half-asleep despite what had just happened. "Uhhh," grunted Kai, "I was just, you know, woke up and felt hungry. C'mon Cole, go back to bed, now is not the time." Kai yawned, stretching his arms upwards. In a force of habit, he reached down, and slicked his hair up a little. Slowly, he began the 10-step hike back to his room. As he was about to turn right in the corridor out of Cole's line of sight, he called after him.

"Kai! I'm not done with you yet."

"What do you want Cole? It's almost 6 in the morning, can you not just let me sleep?"

"I couldn't care less about your secret morning snacking. And I'll be telling Jay that you were the one who ate his crisps last week."

"You better not," growled Kai angrily, seemingly perked up from before. Cole could feel the fire burning inside him even though he was on the opposite side of the room. "Anyway," sighed Cole, disregarding the fact that Kai hadn't denied eating them, "I didn't switch on the light to watch you flail around like a baby."

"I'm not a baby!" interjected Kai, raising his voice.

"Whatever. Keep it down, everyone's still asleep. There's something I think you should see." Cole beckoned Kai over. Reluctantly, he followed behind, annoyed that he couldn't sleep for a few more hours before Master Wu started clanging his morning gong in his eardrum. "Why are you taking me into the living room? If this is another one of your stupid Prime Empire runs, I'm leaving."

Cole didn't respond. He switched on the television.

Kai's eyes opened wide. A wave of adrenaline washed through him. Frozen in place, he stared in horror.

"Get the others."