Evening light passed over the clearing in the Dusk Forest. A girl, soon to be a young woman, sat there, quietly meditating. Her light brown hair lay gently on her shoulders, her fair skin never moving, her dark green eyes closed.
"Jessica?" The Elder Spirit asked, floating above her. Jessica's eyes flew open, shifting and taking everything in. When she concluded nothing was wrong, she closed her eyes again and used her mental connection.
Why has my training been interrupted? She asked.
Because it is finished. Jessica, your ten-year training finishes as of now. It is time.
"Very well." This time she spoke with her mouth. Getting up, she grabbed her bow and arrows, whip, and the only memento of her father: her dagger. "So the time to fight is at hand?"
"Yes, but be warned. Your father has gathered the four golden weapons and fused them into the Mega-Weapon, something much stronger than your own powers." Jessica could barely contain a gasp.
"I thought the ninja had the weapons." But the Elder Spirit shook his head
"They did, but to defeat the Great Devourer, they gave them to Lord Garmadon, unaware that it would have been better to do it themselves." Jessica snorted.
"That sounds like my father. Convincing people that his way is best, just like he did with my mother." Jessica said bitterly. "Where is he now?"
"I do not know, but he is on the move. He was last at a Ninjago museum, trying to resurrect a large beast. He must be stopped." Jessica nodded, and left without a word. Rose, however, was watching from the shadows.
"Why did you not tell her of her brother? The prophecy? His aging?" She asked. The Elder Spirit looked away.
"She will soon learn of it. I did not wish to extinguish the blazing fire in her heart. It will help her kill her own father." He replied, keeping his own tears from showing.
By the time he spoke these words, Jessica was at the edge of the forest. She stopped, thinking, wondering what the world was like after ten years.
Once I exit the forest, I may never be able to return. But if it means revenge for my mother, then so be it. She thought, and, taking a deep breath, walked outside.
It was not unlike the world she had left ten years ago. The sun still sat on the ocean's waves, the grass still waved lazily in the wind, the clouds still rolled across the sky. But as Jessica moved farther into the world, she heard the sounds of civilization close by. Years ago, no one had come even close to finding this sacred place, but now human kind was catching up. It meant nothing to Jessica, however, and she continued, her bat Celeta following her.
"Where should we start?" Jessica asked.
I believe that he'll strike in Ninjago City, as it is where the ninja are. Celeta replied, using their mental connection.
Jessica merely nodded and set out. At the nearest village, she headed to the horse stable. "What is your fastest horse?" She asked, looking around.
"That would be Sunburst, but she'll be expensive. I won't go under two thousand." The owner said, clearly believing no one would spend that much on just one horse. Jessica looked over his shoulder at the horse. Chestnut brown, it neighed impatiently. Anyone could see it wanted to run and be ridden. Jessica nodded approvingly.
"Fine, here you are." She pulled out the savings that her mother had given her years ago. The owner's jaw dropped, but closed quickly. He looked from Jessica to Sunburst, and sighed.
"I really want to breed her, get some fast stock." He told Jessica.
"How fast can she get to Ninjago City?" Jessica asked, telling Celeta, If it's under two days, we'll leave her behind.
"At best speed, she'll have you there in thirty hours." The horse owner said, and Jessica smiled broadly.
"Then I'll take her. Don't worry; I intend to return her when my mission is complete. You'll have her back in a few months, a year tops." She said, taking Sunburst's bridle. Leading her out of the stable, she mounted and Celeta settled on Jessica's shoulder.
Wait. You may need a disguise so that no one sees who you are until the job is done, since you do look like your father. Celeta said. Jessica tensed at the statement. I meant no harm. I only say it so your mission will be a success. Celeta said gently. Jessica nodded, still angered by the statement. *Note: Last time Jessica saw her father was before he was banished into the underworld, so she doesn't know that he now has black skin and hair.* She touched her hair, remembering how the shade matched her father's, then her face, which carried his features.
Demounting Sunburst and tying her bridle to a nearby pole, Jessica entered a costume shop. She went to the register and the counter boy looked tiredly at her. "I need a mask, pure white, and a cloak." He sighed and pulled out a thin mask and black cloak.
"Five dollars." He told her in an exceedingly droning voice. Jessica handed him the last of her money and took the mask, exiting the room. She slipped the mask over her face and the cloak over her shoulders, waiting while her eyes adjust to the new lack of light. Once they did, Jessica remounted Sunburst and headed off inland. Celeta chose to fly beside for a while, but eventually gave up trying to keep up with Sunburst and landed back onto Jessica's shoulder.
After all these years, I'll finally have vengeance on my mother's death. Jessica told Celeta, who gave a click and small nod.
Yes, but something worries me. If he has the Mega-Weapon, what has kept him from taking over all of Ninjago? The ninja seem to be powerless before him. Celeta noted.
Remember the prophecy that the Elder Spirit told us? About the Dark Lord falling to the Green Ninja, and that it would be one of his kin? Perhaps he was hinting that I am the Green Ninja, fated to take down my father.
There is that possibility. We must keep our minds open to all things.
Page break! The bane of your existence! Hee hee.
It took much less time than the owner had said. Within a day, Jessica had arrived at Ninjago City with her companions. Screams from the square took Jessica's attention. It's finally time. She thought, and ran to the square. Evil laughter echoed there, and in the center stood a man, skin and hair black as night. Shivers ran down her spine. What in the world's going on? Where's Lord Garmadon? She asked Celeta.
I think that's your father. Before Jessica could say anything in response, a large ship appeared above. The ninja came out onto the deck. "Garmadon, stop this!" Kai cried.
Okay, yes, that's him. He's changed, but it's time for revenge. Jessica thought before screaming out, "Hey Garmadon! Ready to fight?"
Lord Garmadon turned towards her, and laughed scornfully. "A child challenges me?" He asked, continually laughing.
"What's that girl doing?" Cole asked, clearly thinking she was mental.
"Yeah, you've got that right! I've waited ten years to finally defeat you, so this is going to feel great!" Jessica drew out her bow, and the battle began. In a flash Lord Garmadon came at her, and slashed at her, but stood foolishly as Jessica's cloak simply fell in tatters. She reappeared a foot away, wearing a black shirt and jeans. "It won't be that easy. Come on, actually try!" Jessica taunted. Lord Garmadon snarled and tried again, but Jessica danced away easily. She shot arrow after arrow, managing to score a few hits before Lord Garmadon broke the bow with a flash of light from his Mega-Weapon. Throwing it aside, she pulled out her dagger to parry his next thrusts.
Eventually, Lord Garmadon scowled and began using Spinjitzu. Jessica smiled, thinking Time to use some of my powers.
Be careful. The necklace will only last for so long. Celeta warned.
Nodding, Jessica drew power from her necklace. A small fragment glowed, and her hand glowed with power. She threw the orb at Lord Garmadon. It surrounded him, and his Spinjitzu slowed down until she could she him. Jessica's arm lashed out and caught him in a choke hold. Gasping for breath, Lord Garmadon's face turned into one of fear.
"Who are you?" He asked, with his voice weak and cracking and his eyes on the dagger in her hand. Jessica tilted her head.
"I guess you've earned the right to know." Carefully, she put her dagger back in its sheathe and removed her pure white mask, dropping it onto the pavement and grabbing her dagger with her now free hand. Lord Garmadon's face turned to surprise.
"What...? But how..." He asked weakly.
"'But how can it be you? You've been missing for ten years!' You want the answer?" She asked, and in a much lower tone, so only he could hear, "Dad?"
He nodded slightly, looking into her eyes. She leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Because I want revenge for you killing mum. And guess what? After you, I'm going to murder your stupid little heir, Lloyd. That's right, your son's next." Jessica smiled as she pulled back, as she saw his face full of fear. "Bye-bye Dad." She whispered to him, raising her dagger.
A sound from behind caught her attention. Jessica turned her head to see the ninja behind her, and in that moment Lord Garmadon broke her choke hold and vanished into thin air. Snarling, she shouted, "Thanks a lot! Because of you nincompoops, he got away!"
"Nincompoops? Do you know who we are?" Jay asked angrily.
"Yes, you're the ninja. And by the way, you've done a crap job." Jessica told them dismissively, turning her back on them. She picked up her broken bow and sighed. "Great, that was my best bow. Now I'm going to need to make a new one. Maybe with yew wood since that's stronger than maple." She muttered to herself.
"Uh, HELLO?! Since when have we been doing a crap job? And by the way, who the hell are you?" Kai asked.
"You know what, shut your face. I need to get back on the road to find Lord Garmadon." Jessica said. Kai opened his mouth to argue when Sensei Wu walked up.
"Please be kinder to the ninja. They have tried their best." He told Jessica, but by this time had tuned them all out.
"Come on, Celeta. Time to go." She called, and her bat flew to her side.
"Please wait. I have a request." Sensei Wu told her.
"Look, I couldn't care less. I need to kill Lord Garmadon, move onto my next target, and get this stage of my life done." She said.
"What are you, an assassin?" Cole asked. To everyone's surprise, Jessica laughed.
"That's a good one! Assassin, my ass. I'm trying to get revenge, and in the process rid the world of Dark Lord." She told them, and continued to walk away.
"If you come with us, we can help you and give you a home." Sensei Wu said. Jessica would have continued to walk away, but Celeta told her otherwise. You need a place to stay. Besides, their assistance would help.
If by 'help', you mean get in my way. Jessica replied. But she sighed and turned around. "Fine, I'll come. But I train and go after my targets on my own. Got that?" The ninja grumbled, but Sensei Wu nodded and gestured to the ship. Jessica whistled to Sunburst and the horse came running. "Before I go, I've got to return her. Would you mind taking me there?"
"No. Come aboard." Jessica complied and went onto the ship, where Nya greeted her.
"Hey, my name's Nya. Kai, the red ninja, is my brother." She said, smiling. The ninja and Sensei Wu came on board and the ship took off, Sunburst neighing nervously. After Jessica returned the horse, she met the others in the control room.
"So who are you?" Zane asked.
"The name is Jessica. I'm a female warrior. And who's green dude?" She asked, jabbing her head at the boy in green standing in the corner. He seemed familiar to Jessica, but she didn't know why.
"That is my nephew and the Green Ninja, Lloyd Garmadon." Jessica tensed. Of course, it was her brother! The blond hair was so close to her mother's that it sickened her. And just great, her uncle was here too! It's just one big family reunion, isn't it? She told Celeta.
Yes, so you might not want to mention that you want to kill Lloyd, okay?
But it doesn't make sense! Even if he were Lloyd, he should be seven years younger! And how can he defeat our father if he is his heir?
Perhaps he doesn't know. Remember, Lloyd was hours old when it happened.
"Uh, hello? We're talking to you." Jay told her, ending her conversation with Celeta.
"What's with the reaction to Lloyd? I mean, I know he's Lord Garmadon's son and all." Kai asked her.
Jessica sighed. "Because my last name is Garmadon. I'm Lloyd's older sister. At least, I was his older sister." She said, gaining many gasps from everyone in the room.
"WHAT?!" The ninja screamed.
"I... have a sister?" Lloyd asked.
"You're my niece?" Sensei Wu asked.
"Yes, and I have a quick question: Why the hell is Lloyd now my age? He should be seven years younger, ten years old!" She told them.
"Accident with some tomorrow tea. But seriously, you're Lord Garmadon's daughter?" Zane asked.
"No, I'm completely unrelated and just coincidently have the same last name- Of course I'm his daughter nitwit!" Jessica said, heavily annoyed.
"But why do you want to kill your own father? Lloyd has to and he isn't very eager to." Cole said.
"He killed my mother." She said.
"Garmadon killed his own wife?" Sensei Wu asked, sickened.
"Maybe he didn't mean to, but it was through his actions that mom died. My mum died when she gave birth to Lloyd." Lloyd look horrified, but kept silent. "She had always been fragile, ever since she caught a plague when I was baby. While my mother survived, it weakened her greatly, and when she gave birth, it was difficult. Minutes after, she died."
"But why blame Lord Garmadon?" Kai asked.
"Because my mother didn't want another child. She knew that she was too fragile, but my father wanted a son. He got it, but in the process, lost his wife." Not that he could care less. He has his heir, which is all he ever really wanted. Jessica thought to herself miserably. "After my mother died, I ran away to Dusk Forest. For ten years I've trained to kill my father. I nearly did it, until you guys stopped me."
"Hey, what are you talking about? Lord Garmadon could have beaten you easily with the Mega-Weapon." Jay said.
"Oh yeah, about that, you guys did a crap job of keeping the golden weapons away from Lord Garmadon." Jessica told them.
"Hey, it was either that or the Great Devourer consuming everything!" Kai shouted, but Jessica snorted.
"No, it was either giving up the weapons to Lord Garmadon and beating the Great Devourer or just doing it yourselves! Yes, it would've been harder than leaving it to Lord Garmadon, but it would have kept the golden weapons out of his hands! Think about it. While none of you can handle all four at once, you can handle one, and a coordinated attack would've worked." She said. "Believe me, my father is great at making it sound as though his way is the only possible thing you can do."
"Hey-" Jay started, walking toward Jessica, but she threw her fist over her shoulder and caught him full in the face. He gave a small groan and fell over. The other ninja started towards her, but she held up her hand to stop them.
"Don't come any closer unless you want to be on the ground like what's-his-face." Jessica told them.
"Okay, let's stop with the violence. Jessica, if you are my sister, why didn't our father tell me about you?" Lloyd asked.
"Probably ashamed of me. Plus, I had run away. Why tell you about me if you might never meet me?" Jessica asked him.
"Listen to me Jessica. I know you have harsh feelings toward your father, but please, do not judge Lloyd and myself because of those feelings. We can help you find your father." Sensei Wu said gently.
Too late for that. She told Celeta, amused.
Yes, but lie low. Wait until your father is gone to strike. Otherwise, they will see through it and make sure you can't get to Lloyd. Celeta reminded Jessica.
"Jessica, for now, why don't I show you to where you'll stay?" Nya asked, wanting to end the tension. Jessica shrugged and exited with Celeta in tow. "That was a nice first impression." Nya said, attempting to lighten the mood. Jessica ignored her, preferring to remain silent.
Must you be so closed off? You were never like this in Dusk Forest. Celeta said.
That was when I had Rose and the other spirits I had known all my life. I've only just met these people. Be thankful that I didn't give that blue guy a concussion. Or lodge my dagger in Lloyd's throat, where it belongs. Jessica told her.
I thought you said it belongs in your father's chest. Celeta pointed out, amused.
Ugh, never mind. Let's just get through this phase of my life without going mad and finish getting my mother's revenge. If all goes well, in a year I can move on.
And then what will happen? Try to at least make some new friends while you're here. Celeta said.
"Jessica?" Nya asked, cutting off the conversation. "Seriously, what are you doing?"
"Communicating with Celeta." Jessica said in a bored tone, as though that was what everyone did.
"Um, what does you mean?" Nya asked, clearly confused.
"We have a telepathic connection, which we use since technically Celeta can't talk." Jessica explained.
"What do you mean by 'technically'?" Nya asked, more confused.
"It means that I cannot converse naturally, but am able to speak via extensive mutations done at my birth." Celeta answered. Nya looked from the bat to Jessica before hitting the ground with a soft clunk. Jessica snorted.
"And I'm bad at first impressions?" She asked, amused.
"Not my fault that you're the only one who can take surprises." Celeta replied. Jessica gave a faint smile before heading into her room and plopping down onto the bed.
Well, this has been one hell of a day. I missed one of my targets, have another right in front of me who I CAN'T take out, am LIVING with the same target, lost my bow, and to top it off now have to get along with four nincompoops, my target, a girl who is way too friendly, and my uncle. Jessica thought. Eh, I've had worse days.