AND we're back!
If you haven't please read "The Knight's Journey" before reading this! The first six chapters (specifically serve as a prelude to this!) As you read a chapter, please, PLEASE leave your thoughts and reviews.
Anyway, as always, I OWN NOTHING.
Chapter 1: Counting up the Losses
"*sniff*… Jay, I... I..." Nya tried to hold back the tears at the sight in front of her. Ashes were all that remained of the purple-blue explosion of light that contained the Overlord and Jay Walker. Ashes were all that remained of the boyfriend who she cheated on, who had just lost his parents, who just died to save them all. "I am sorry."
As the Samurai fell to her knees, now allowing the tears to pour down her face, and the sobs to cry out, Zane, Kai, and even Cole approached her from behind, also holding crying at the sight. Pixal, although distressed, walked to Lloyd, who stared at the Dark Army.
His father, who quickly ran to pick up the Golden Armor from the ashes, immediately gave the order to retreat, yet he only shuffled backwards in fear. The Nindroids, Skulkin, Serpentine, Stone Warriors, and Sons of Garmadon all did the same. Even though they clearly outmatched them 1,000 to one, they had just lost their all-powerful leader at the hands of just one Ninja. Lloyd knew what they were thinking.
The Green Ninja's fist lit up as he roared at them. "LEAVE, NOW!" Without any warning, he shot a dark green beam towards the feet of the nearest skulking and nindroids, and looked at his father in the eyes. "OR ELSE."
Lord Garmadon wasted no time. He turned to the army, yelling "I said retreat! RETREAT!" before heading towards them. In a panic, every vehicle, chopper, and foot soldier scrambled in the direction of the mountains and desert that faced the entrance to the city. Lloyd watched as the being that was Sensei Garmadon clutched to the Golden Armor, pointing the disarray of soldiers away from their site of defeat. He didn't turn away until all that he could see were shapes.
"...Lloyd..." He finally turned to see his friends circled around the body of Sensei Wu and the ashes of Jay. In the span of a day, the Overlord was destroyed before he could kill anyone else, but it cost both of their teachers and a brother.
But now was not the moment to mourn.
"Pixal, Zane, I want you to broadcast a city-wide message describing what has happened here today. Jay Walker died for them, he deserves recognition. Kai and Cole, you need to... take Sensei's body... back to Borg's tower. He'll give us the necessary transport to get him back to the Monastery for a proper burial. And Nya, you are going to come with me."
Nya hadn't stopped crying the entire time. "*sniff*… Where are we going?"
"We are going to take Jay's ashes, and spread them across the junkyard, like he did with his parents. And then..." He needed a moment to bring up the words, realizing that he wasn't sure he was prepared for what he had to do after. "Then, I'll tell my Mom about Dad."
In the city shelters beneath the major structures, thousands of citizens had hidden away hours before the Ninja had even shown up. The first sign of Garmadon's return alerted nearby neighborhoods to hide, and with the help of Dareth and the Mailman, word spread quickly enough to let there be zero innocent casualties. "Alright people, quiet!" In the primary safety shelter, Dareth had held close to the door in order to hear if anything was going on. After the sounds of lightning, he heard nothing for almost 30 minutes. Now, citizens were getting restless.
"Dareth, what do we do?"
The self-proclaimed brown ninja had no choice. "You all stay here. I'm going to see if our friends saved the day or not. If I don't get back, then... I guess the Mailman is in charge." He pointed to the purple-clad man, who was pushing Cyrus. "WHAT?"
Before he could respond, Dareth quickly entered the access code, and shut the large metal door behind him, allowing him up the stairs. He soon found himself right outside the front entrance of Ninjago City Center, right across from Borg Tower. No one was there. "Um... hello?" No response. Oh, boy, here goes nothing. "HELLO?!"
"Dareth." The brown ninja let out a short startled scream at the sound of Zane's voice. He was walking towards him from the opposite direction of the buildings, along with Pixal.
"Oh, Zane! Thank goodness you guys made it! Heh heh, I see no more bad guys, I'm guessing you once again saved us all, huh?" Dareth's smiles and jabs at friendly humor were met with two deadpanned, depressed nindroid faces. "Yes, but at a terrible cost..."
Zane turned back from the way he came, allowing Dareth to see Kai and Cole carrying a long board of the bounty in a stretcher style, with someone laying on it. As they got closer, Dareth gasped at the sight.
They were carrying Wu. And he wasn't breathing.
"No. NO! How could this have happened?" He started to cry. While he was hardly the closest member of their team or even the closest friend to Wu, he still held a sense of love and respect for the man who brought the Ninja into his life. Zane and Pixal each put a hand on his shoulder.
"He managed to distract the Overlord long enough for Jay to make a critical blow. But for his trick, the Overlord... snapped his neck." More tears fell, and sobs escaped.
"So... *sniff*… Jay did it? Where is he? And Lloyd, and Nya?" Trying to get answer, he looked at all four of them, but they each had their heads hung low, until Kai confirmed his worst fear.
"Jay sacrificed himself to destroy the Overlord. He managed to call along a hellstorm to counteract the dark powers, but in the process, they both disintegrated."
Cole nodded and continued where Kai stopped. "Now, Nya and Lloyd are on their to spread his ashes across the Junkyard where he grew up. So he can..." He choked on the last words. "So he can rest with his parents."
"I... I see. What about the Dark Army?"
"With the Overlord gone, they are without an all-powerful Master. They have fled, for now. Garmadon may rally them together for another attack, but not for some time. Right now, we need to find Cyrus Borg, so that we may get transport to give our Sensei a proper farewell." Dareth's ears perked up at the last sentence, realizing that everyone else had yet to find out.
"I know where he is. Follow me."
Using remnants from the Bounty, Nya and Lloyd had quickly assembled a small 4-wheeler to get them across the desert to the Junkyard. Fortunately, they didn't head in the same direction as the Dark Army had. Lloyd drove, allowing Nya to hold onto the small pot they put the ashes in; neither said a word the entire trip, until they arrived at nightfall.
Looking up at the dark, empty home of scraps, Nya spoke first. "This place was always beautiful. He was too..." He didn't initially respond, knowing that she needed a moment to let it all in. But after a few minutes, he said what was on his mind since she was last here:
"If that is truly how you felt, then why the hell did you cheat on him?" He saw her grimace at the question, but he didn't regret it; he needed to know. Not for himself, but for Jay's memory.
"Jay was caring. He was sweet, and kind. But..." she shut her eyes, fighting against another wave of tears. "I- I was selfish. I wanted more. He was so clingy at times, and I didn't want to have to... settle." The car stopped rapidly at the gateway of the Junkyard, allowing Lloyd to sharply turn to her.
"SETTLE? Nya, what the fuck!?"
"I'm sorry, but it's how I felt. I wasn't brave enough to tell him face to face, but... I wanted Cole. Ever since the Dark Island, I had feelings for him. I didn't think-" Before she could explain herself further, Lloyd got out of the car, slamming the makeshift-door behind him. "I don't want to hear excuses, Nya. Jay is dead now, and the best we can do is honor his sacrifice."
She hung her head down again before getting out of the car, holding onto the pot tightly. She didn't lie about the junkyard: it was still beautiful in her eyes, even with no lighting except the stars. But now, it is the place where she betrayed Jay's trust, which inadvertently caused the deaths of Ed and Edna walker, who were never anything but kind to her. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.
After messing with the fuse box for a few moments, Lloyd's hand flung backwards as a few stray sparks spit out. "Dammit! Lights aren't working."
"Nobody has been here in over a month. It's likely they needed consistent upkeep. Let's leave them off, I think it is better this way." Despite not wanting to give her any credit at the moment, Lloyd nodded in agreement. There was something poetic about it: Jay brought them joy and happiness, and now that they are seeing him off, the world is quiet and dark.
They marched up the highest mound of scraps in the scrapyard's center. The climb took about 15 minutes, as they were being careful not to topple downwards, and not to drop the pot. When they reached the top, Lloyd looked to Nya.
"It's just you and me. If Sensei were still with us, then I'd have the whole team here. But he is not, and they can't take two funerals so close together. But we owe jay this much." He stepped to the side, allowing Nya to see the full view of the Junkyard, lit up by the vast stars above them. After a few minutes of contemplating, she opened up the jar.
"In the memory of Jay Walker, Protector of Ninjago, Slayer of the Overlord, a Warrior, a Ninja, a Brother, and... a Friend. Your sacrifice will forever be remembered in the histories of our land. Go in peace, Jay." With those words, she reached both arms out into the air, and released the pot from the heights of the mound. As the pot descended, the ashes within flew out and the particles were carried away through the wind, scattered across the junkyard.
Even in his state of anger, Lloyd could not deny her this moment of remorse. He put a hand on her shoulder as Nya once again bawled her eyes out, signaling her that he was there for her, despite her fatal mistakes. She turned and hugged him, crying in his shoulder. "It's okay. It's okay." With one final look to the stars, Lloyd smiled lightly. We'll see you in the next life, brother. "Come on, Nya. Let's go."
Using Cyrus's programs, Zane and Pixal managed to broadcast a city-wide message to every billboard, device, and safety shelter PA system. "Attention citizens of Ninjago City: this is the White Ninja Zane speaking. With me is our newest addition to the team, Pixal. We are contacting you to relay the message that the Overlord has been defeated, and his armies have retreated across the Sea of Sand."
A distant cheering could be heard echoing throughout the city. Even in the main safety shelter, where they were broadcasting, the citizens cheered. Except for Dareth, Cyrus, and the Mailman, who were already debriefed on the news.
Pixal stepped forward towards the camera. "While this undoubtedly is cause for celebration, it did not come without a cost. Sensei Wu, son of the First Spinjitzu Master, Keeper of the Light, Master of the Ninjas, perished at the Overlords hand. In doing so, he gave our Brother Jay Walker, the Blue Ninja, the chance to defeat the Overlord at the cost of his own life. As we rebuild what has been damaged, let us remember them, as they made our futures possible. Thank you."
As the cameraman signaled that they were done, Pixal and Zane hugged. "That was harder than I expected."
"I know. But we must be strong. Not for us. Not even for Wu or Jay. But for them; the people of Ninjago cannot see us weak." As if she had a knack for terrible timing, Gale Gossip pushed through the crowd of villagers and past Cyrus and the Mailman, stopping for just a second to smile at Dareth, and walked up to the pair. "Zane, Pixal! I'm-"
"Gale Gossip, yes, we've met before." She shook her head. "No, I wanted to say, I'm so sorry for your loss. Their sacrifices won't be forgotten." Zane was taken aback by her sincerity. He allowed her to clasp onto their paired hands in hopes of comforting them, before Cyrus wheeled himself forward.
"Ahem, my technicians have informed me that a hovercraft is ready to take you back now. Kai and Cole have already boarded above us, with... him." Saying Wu's name as if he walked on board felt wrong. "Thank you, Cyrus Borg. Won't you join us? And you, Dareth?"
"Us?" Both men were startled by the invite; the ceremony was meant to be sacred.
"Without you, we would have never learned of the Overlord's return. And Dareth, you are a part of the Family. You deserve to be there just as much as the rest of us." Dareth stood up straight in a proud manner. He wasn't acting smug, but genuinely trying to look presentable. "Zane, I would be honored."
"Then let us go. Everyone! We will return soon! For now, go to your homes, be with your loved ones! The city is under surveillance by Cyrus's personal programs. If there is an attack, we will be back immediately!"
Nya and Lloyd drove in the direction of Jamanakai Village, knowing full well they'd never make it to what was previously Garmadon's Citadel in time to get back to Wu's funeral ceremony. Without any details, Lloyd had transmitted a message to Misako simply stating that he needed to meet them in the village, and that it was an emergency that needed to be discussed in person.
"We're here."
Jamanakai Village hadn't changed a bit from Lloyd's last encounter in the village. He'll always remember this as the place where he first got his ass whooped by the Ninja. Only yesterday, thinking about it would have made him laugh. That memory only brought him sorrow now.
In the distance, through the starry sky, they saw what looked like a miniature Destiny's Bounty fly down at top speed. Misako. "MOM!"
"Lloyd, what is it? What happened?" The old woman jumped down and ran to embrace her son, but as soon as she started asking questions, he turned his gaze away. Nya did the same from behind. "Tell me, Lloyd!"
"Mom... Uncle Wu is dead."
The color that had previously been there drained from Misako's face. "What?"
"So is Jay. He died to destroy the Overlord... And..." He couldn't bear to say what he needed to. So Nya did. "And...Sensei Garmadon has been turned back into Lord Garmadon."
She couldn't believe it. After everything they had been through, everything they fought for to achieve peace, only to have both her Husband and brother in law to be taken from her on the same day. "No..."
"Mom, we've paid our respects to Jay. But now we need to go to the ruins of the Monastery to give Uncle Wu a proper farewell."
Misako knew the trials and tribulations of losing loved ones from the Serpentine War, and understood that there was rarely enough time to mourn before moving on. "...Okay. We'll take the Destiny's Shadow. It can get us there much faster than your makeshift truck."
Both the Ninjago Air Transport and the Destiny's Shadow arrived at the ruins of the old Monastery within minutes of each other. The night's sky was still dark and clear, but the sun would rise soon enough, and Lloyd didn't want to waste any time. "All right guys, we know what we need to do. Dareth, Zane, Cole, and Kai: You all gather wood for the pyre."
"From where Lloyd?" The green ninja made a gesture at their surroundings, to which Kai choked a gasp. "You... can't be serious!"
"I am. This place was a part of Wu. It is fitting that he his physical form departs from this world among it's ruins." Although begrudgingly, Kai nodded and proceeded to do as Lloyd ordered, followed by the other three. Everyone else cleared a space just outside the entrance on the hill by the tree, which had only begun to grow after the Hypnobrai originally burned down the Monastery, which Misako first noticed. "Rebirth. Wu would be proud of this."
It took everyone all of but an hour to clear a space and gather enough wood to make a large, thick bedding that wasn't too close to burn down the tree. Misako and Lloyd carried the stretcher and placed his body on top, as Cyrus, Pixal, Dareth, Nya, Zane, Cole, and Kai all lined up around it. Once they moved back into the line, Lloyd looked to Kai, who lit up his fist. With tears streaming down her face, Misako stepped forward once more, and began to recite the words:
"In the memory of Sensei Wu, Son of the First Spinjitzu Master, Embodiment of the Dragons, Guardian of Ninjago, Mentor to the Ninja, a Brother, an Uncle, and a Father to us all. Your sacrifice will forever be remembered in the histories of our land. Go in peace, Wu." As she stepped back, Kai moved forward with his flaming fist stretched out, burning the first ply of wood closest to him. Within 30 seconds, Wu's body was engulfed in the flames, and nine pairs of eyes teared up without embarrassment.
The group stayed on the mountaintop for several hours past sunrise, contemplating all that had happened, and all that was yet to come. Eventually, it was Dareth who spoke first. "Well, what now? Jay and Sensei Wu are gone, and so is the Overlord, but the Dark Army escaped. We can't let their sacrifices be in vain!"
Zane nodded in agreement. "Here is what we know: The Princess Harumi collaborated with the Overlord Virus to plan this attack, betraying the Royal Family. The Emperor and Empress were imprisoned by their forces, and they have yet to be seen since. I calculate they were prisoners on board one of the transports that fled, meaning they remain in custody." The others grimaced at this news. "Furthermore, all of their forces fled beyond the desert, and no outside villages have reported seeing them."
Cole stood up to face everyone. "Ninjago is in need of a strong leadership, one that can prevent another event like this happening, at least until we find a way to rescue the Emperor and Empress. Under their guidance, we will lead Ninjago into a new stage of self-protection. What do you think, Lloyd?"
But he was still in deep thought on a different matter. "We lost three true friends today."
"What do you mean, Lloyd?"
"I looked into Lord Garmadon's eyes. I didn't see my father. He wasn't anything like the last time the venom corrupted him. This was different." Misako knew immediately what he meant, even though he didn't.
"That's because... it's no longer the venom that embodies his spirit. Your father has been reverted back to his true state of power: He has pure Oni blood coursing through his veins."
AND HERE WE ARE, EVERYONE! I know this was a shorter chapter, but bear with me, there is plenty more to come. PLEASE leave a review for any comments or questions!
R&R!