Hey everyone. Sorry for the wait, I've just been busy with the holidays coming up. Thank you for your patience, here is the next chapter.
Ch. 18 Return to Corona
The darkness lay over the entire kingdom of Corona. Dark clouds blocked the sky, not a ray of sunlight could get through. Every single citizen had been corrupted by the darkness; every man, woman, and child wandered aimlessly through the streets of the kingdom not unlike zombies. Everyone boar the same appearance; their clothes and hair we're all pitch black, their skin was dark grey, and their eyes we're a dark purple. Their faces boar no emotion whatsoever.
Every corrupted guard in Corona surrounded the main castle; all bore the same appearances as the corrupted citizens as well; black hair and clothes, grey skin, purple eyes, and void of all emotion.
Within the castle itself, in the king's throne sat none other than the being responsible for this terror; the Overlord. By his side was Pythor, who admired everything that recently happened.
"It is magnificent Pythor." The Overlord began. "I can feel my darkness spread over this land, it will only be a matter of time until this entire realm is mine."
"And with the Realm Crystal in your possession, my liege, the rest of the realms will soon follow as well." Pythor added.
The Overlord held the blue crystal in his gold, skeletal hand. "I am grateful for your aid and your loyalty Pythor; once existence is under my thrall, perhaps you will have a realm of your own to rule."
Pythor gave a grateful bow. "Oh you flatter me, mighty Dark One."
"Wait, you can't go in there!"
That got both their attention as the main door was opened and Gothel walked in, looking less-than-pleased, with the Stabbington Brothers right behind her, trying to stop her.
"He said no one enters without his permission." One of the brothers told Gothel, but she ignored him.
"We had a deal!" Gothel spat, pointing to the Overlord.
"Someone has forgotten their manners." The Overlord stated.
"You said if I helped you regain your power, you would give me eternal youth. You promised!" Gothel recalled. "You have your power back, and Corona is under your control. Now it's time you fulfill your end of the bargain!"
"I would watch my tone if I we're you Gothel." Pythor warned.
"It's quite alright." The Overlord dismissed as he raised one hand and then rose from the throne. "Yes Gothel, I did indeed promise you eternal youth." The Overlord then slowly moved towards Gothel and now stood less than a foot in front of her. "And now, you shall have it."
He raised an arm and pointed one of his fingers, which slowly came to Gothel. The end of it twitched with gold and purple energy. When it touched her forehead, Gothel felt some pain as she grunted and a mix of gold and purple energy began to flow through her veins. She screamed as her body glowed, the light died down, and she fell to her knees and breathed heavily.
"It is done."
Gothel knew he was right. She no longer felt his presence in her, she could feel the same kind of energy she did when she raised Rapunzel and used her powers. It was flowing inside her. She smiled as she stood up.
"Thank you. Now I…." She then noticed something. She looked to her right wrist and saw a purple energy band form around it. The same thing happened on the Overlord's right wrist. Both bands vanished.
"What did you do?" Gothel questioned.
"I have granted you eternal youth, as I promised." The Overlord told her. "However, recent events have shown that you have proven to be somewhat untrustworthy. You can consider this insurance, so that you do not betray me. Your fate, is now linked to mine."
"What does that mean?" Gothel questioned again.
"Exactly what it suggest." The Overlord answered. "Should anything happen to me, my body being destroyed, my power will cease in you, and you will once again be reduced to your real age, as a pile of dust."
Gothel's eyes widened and she then glared at the Overlord. "So… I have no choice but to help you." The Overlord nodded. "Actually, I have to respect that." She admitted, but still didn't like it.
"This is the price you pay Gothel." Pythor chimed. "For making a deal with the devil."
Meanwhile; at least thirty miles outside of Corona. The forest was bright as sunlight shined over it. The green trees with the blue sky above showed that the darkness has not yet reached this spot.
Suddenly, in the sky, a massive blue and pink portal opened up; the first to come out was Kai on his Fire Dragon, with Lloyd on his Energy Dragon next to it; followed by Cole on his Earth Dragon, Jay on his Lightning Dragon, and Zane on his Ice Dragon. Afterwards, Destiny's Bounty came out of the portal; with the other Elemental Dragons (Metal, Speed, Mind, Shadow, Light, Poison, Nature, Sound, Form, Smoke, and Gravity), with their respective Elemental Masters all around the Bounty.
The portal closed, and the heroic armada soared through the air.
The Bounty carried Rapunzel, Eugene, Wu, Garmadon, Misako, Maximus (with Pascal), Nya, Skylar, Dareth, and Ronin, with Pixal at the steering wheel.
"We're back." Rapunzel observed as she looked off the side of the flying ship with Eugene, Max, and Pascal.
"Yeah, now the hard part's about to start." Eugene added.
Wu walked to the side of the ship where Neuro flew on his Mind Dragon. "Neuro!" The old sensei called. "I want you to use your powers and link everyone present!"
"Good idea!" Neuro responded. He closed his eyes and concentrated. As he did, everyone's eyes slightly widened as they felt the psychic link connect all of them, enabling effective communication.
"Link established!" Neuro announced.
"This feels weird." Rapunzel said as she lightly held her head with Eugene.
"Don't worry, you get used to it." Nya assured.
"Alright everyone listen up!" Kai announced through the link, getting everyone's attention. "The Overlord has at least a day start ahead of us; in all likely hood, all of Corona is under his control by now."
"So, what's the plan?" Cole asked
"We're gonna split up into different groups." Kai answered.
"The Overlord may control the Kingdom, but I can sense that he hasn't yet gotten to the Golden Weapons." Lloyd continued. "If we're gonna stand a chance against him, we need those weapons."
"Okay then; so all seven Ninja, along with Rapunzel, Eugene, Wu, and Garmadon, are gonna sneak in through the back and get those weapons." Kai continued. "Shade, you and the other Elemental Masters are gonna launch a frontal assault on Corona."
"As a distraction?" Shade asked.
"That's right." Zane answered. "The Overlord doesn't know we've arrived, we'll have a better chance if the element of surprise is on our side. You'll keep his attention focused on you and away from us."
"Got it." Shade replied.
"Karloff, ready to beat up some bad guys!" Karloff announced.
"Hold on, just be careful!" Rapunzel stated. "It's not their fault, the Overlord is controlling them!"
"Yeah, she's right!" Eugene agreed.
"Okay, so we'll take them down gently." Griffon said. "Though it's easier said than done."
"What about the rest of us?" Ronin asked. "What are we gonna do?"
"Ronin, we'll need you, Misako, Pixal, and Dareth to hang back on the Bounty, just in case we need an emergency exit." Kai answered.
"That is wise course of action." Pixal agreed.
"I'm gonna have to disagree with you." Dareth began. "I'm the Brown Ninja…"
"We know." Lloyd answered. "You're our back up. If things go south, we'll call you." He lied.
"So I'm the secret weapon… cool." Dareth said, buying it.
Jay soon noticed something. "Whoa! Evil giant dome at twelve o'clock people!"
All eyes turned to what Jay had spotted; they all slowed down so they could get a better look. It was indeed a giant dome, one made of dark purple (smoke-like) energy, and it appears to be expanding.
"What is that?" Skylar questioned.
"It is the darkness of the Overlord." Garmadon answered. "His evil is spreading all over this world, it will continue to grow until all this realm is consumed in it's darkness."
"We'll we're not gonna let that happen!" Nya announced.
"Got that right Sis!" Kai agreed. "Okay, people this is where we split up!"
"Just one question, how are we gonna get there if the Bounty is hanging back?" Eugene questioned.
"Leave that to me." Wu answered as he performed is own Tai-Chi dance, his hands glowed a faint gold enery. He brought then together and in a sudden flash, Sensei Wu now rode atop his own Elemental Dragon, which was a bright gold with sparkles all around it.
Rapunzel, Eugene, Pascal, and Max looked in amazement.
"Wow. You can do that to?" Rapunzel asked, still amazed.
"Yes, a gift I inherited from my father. Now climb aboard." Wu stated as Rapunzel, Garmadon, and Eugene, with Pascal on Rapunzel's shoulder, got on. The dragon began to hover and take flight, taking Maximus in it's claws.
Kai's dragon flew parallel to the bounty and allowed Skylar to jump onto his Fire Dragon, with Jay flying on the other side, and Nya jumped onto his Lightning Dragon with him.
"Okay, we're ready!" Cole shouted.
"Alright everyone remember." Lloyd began. "No matter what happens, we're always united. We're stronger together. We fight as one!"
"LET'S DO THIS!" Jay shouted.
With that, all the Elemental Dragons, and Destiny's Bounty flew into the dark dome. Everyone felt the dark fog cover their faces as they flew into the dome. Soon it began to clear up, and once they we're through the fog, they could see Corona, now under the thrall of the darkness.
Everyone looked on with his or her own look of terror; Rapunzel, Nya, and Skylar all covered their mouths in horror, and a few of the Elemental Masters gasped.
Kai was the first to regain his composure. "Okay, we all know our jobs! Good luck!"
The Fire Dragon, Energy Dragon, Lightning Dragon, Earth Dragon, Ice Dragon, and Gold Dragon all soared high in the dark sky with their passengers; while the Mind, Nature, Metal, Speed, Poison, Form, Light, Shadow, Smoke, Gravity, and Sound dragons all flew down, towards the bridge that led to the kingdom, and the Bounty remained where it was.
Corona Throne Room
The Overlord couldn't help but admire his own reflection in the Realm Crystal as he sat in the throne, but a corrupted guard came in and quickly bowed to him.
"My lord. Outsiders. Just outside the kingdom."
"Is that so?" The Overlord mused. "Then by all means, give them a proper greeting."
"As you wish."
Docks
The six dragons, and their passengers, flew just above the black water. The dragons vanished just as they got to the docks, allowing all the heroes to land on it.
"Okay, we're at the docks." Eugene began. "The Golden Weapons are in the vault in the dungeon. We should be able to get there without being caught if we stay quiet."
"Let's not move in until the fighting starts and the Overlord's attention is focused away from us." Zane advised.
"Good idea." Wu agreed.
"Hang on guys, I'm getting a message from Shade." Kai stated as he held his head and Shade contacted him via the psychic link.
"We are in position now. If and when they show up, we'll defiantly give them a show to remember." Shade informed.
"Okay, we're standing by." Kai told him.
"Hang on, I think I see them."
Main Corona entrance.
Shade, Karloff, Griffon, Neuro, Toxikta, Invizable, Jacob, Bolobo, Ash, Camile, and Gravis all stood in front of the main gates that led outside the kingdom. They all looked on as what appeared to be a small army of corrupted Corona Guards marched through the streets towards them with weapons at the ready.
Each of the Elemental Masters gave eager grins ready for the fight.
"Let's show them what we're made of!" Shade eagerly stated.
"Just remember, they are under the control of the Overlord. We take them down not out." Neuro reminded.
"Got it" Shade replied.
"Let's go!" Griffon cheered as he ran at fast speeds and left a white vapor trail behind him as he barreled straight through the small army and knocked away any guard that was near him.
Karloff slammed his fists together and his entire skin was now covered in metal. "ATTACK!"
With that all the masters yelled as they ran towards the guards, who in turn yelled and ran towards them.
From on the Bounty; Misako looked over the rail with Ronin and Dareth and they could hear the sounds of battle coming from the kingdom below.
Miksako contacted Lloyd via the psychic link. "The fight has begun. And if we noticed it from here, then there's no doubt the Overlord noticed as well."
"Thanks mom." Lloyd replied. "There's our distraction."
"Then let's move, but quietly." Wu informed as all the heroes ran quickly and quietly on the docks. When they got to the castle they found a barred window; which Cole was able to pull off with his strength, and they all quickly ran inside.
Back in the city; the Elemental Masters continued their fight against the corrupted guards.
Karloff's metal skin protected him from the sword and spear strikes of all the guards. Allowing him to bash and knock them all back. He picked up two guards in each hand and threw them into a crowd of more guards, knocking them all down.
Shade was able to avoid a sword slash, and he gave a roundhouse kick, nocking the guard back. He sent a black stream of shadow energy forward that engulfed three incoming guards and sent them flying. Two more ran towards him, he backed into a shaded wall and vanished in the shadows. The guards looked confused until he appeared from the ground behind them and slammed their heads together.
Bolobo blocked all the sword strikes with his staff like a martial arts master before swinging his staff around to move them all back. He slammed his staff on the ground and multiple vines sprouted from the ground, and ensnared all the guards that surrounded him.
Griffon ran at super fast speeds and was able to knock down any guard that was foolish enough to stop him. Twenty guards aimed their crossbows at him, but he ran past them and their weapons we're gone. They looked to their side where he held them all and dropped them. He then smiled and ran right at them, knocking them all down like a bowling ball striking pins.
Camille's hands glowed a bright purple and took the forms of swords. She blocked all their strikes and attacks with relative ease. When she saw many heading her way, she jumped back to get some distance. As soon as she landed, she got on her hands and feet and took the appearance of a bull which charged forward and bashed them all away.
Jacob found himself surrounded by at least ten guards. He took out his guitar and was able to strum a large and loud sound wave to knock them all back, as well as shatter all the nearby windows.
Toxikta was running towards a group of guards. Her nails we're glowing a bright green as she ran to one and slashed him with her hands. One tried to cut her down, but she swerved and cut him. She got another in the back of his neck. Two tried to impale her, but she limboed and struck them both in the gut. All of the guards fell down as green lines began to spread over their wounds.
"Tox, we're not supposed to kill them!" Invizable lightly scolded her.
"Relax buddy, I just paralyzed them. They won't die, but they'll get some nausea in a few hours." She assured.
Invizable breathed a sigh of relief "Okay, just watch yourself.".
He saw three guards running towards him and he completely turned invisible, much to their confusion. They looked around, but one felt a punch in his gut that sent him to the wall. Another felt his head being grabbed and his face was slammed into the wall. The last one looked around frantically, but an unseen force gripped around his neck and he fell unconscious. Invizable turned visible again and dusted his gloved hands.
Five guards surrounded Ash with their spears, who merely had his arms crossed. They all lunged at him at the same time, only for his whole body to be transformed into smoke from contact. The smoke then flew over and behind one guard before Ash's body solidified and he punched that guard back. When they tried to slash him, his body just turned into smoke, and he was able to get good solid hits on all of them. All while giving a slightly insane chuckle.
Six guards all ran towards Gravis who just stood his ground. Once they we're close enough, he thrusted his hands forward, and all the guards we're suddenly floating in the air. He then thrusted his hands to the left and all the guards we're flung into the windows of a nearby house.
Neuro punched one guard in the face. He ducked from another sword slash and swiped his feet, knocking another guard off his feet. Neuro then gave a cartwheel kick knocking another guard back.
"If their minds are being controlled…" He mused. "Then perhaps I can free them."
One corrupted guard was approaching him. But Neuro put both his hands on his head and sent a psychic wave to the guard and into his mind. However, he was not prepared for what he would find inside. He felt a strong and dark presence in it, which actually peered into his mind. Neuro screamed as this darkness entered his mind and he was flung back.
The Overlord's eyes widened with shock and he gave a slight gasp. Something both Gothel and Pythor noticed.
Griffon heard Neuro scream and he quickly ran towards him, knocking down the surrounding guards. He got to Neuro who was breathing and sweating heavily.
"Dude, what's wrong?"
"I… I tried to free them… but… I never felt such a dark…. Such a strong…. We have to warn the ninja!" Neuro exclaimed.
"Is something the matter?" Gothel asked the Overlord as his look of shock became one of anger and annoyance as he clenched his fists.
"I should have known" The Overlord gritted.
The Ninjas, their senseis, along with Rapunzel and Maximus (and Pascal), we're al being led by Eugene through the dungeons.
"We should be near the vault soon." Eugene informed.
"Okay so far, so good." Jay mussed. "I'm really liking our chances now."
"Remember, do not rest on your lorals, we can't let our guard down just yet." Garmadon reminded.
"Guys, wait!" Kai called as he stopped and held his head.
"Kai?" Skylar asked.
"What is it?" Rapunzel asked as well.
"I'm getting a message from Neuro." Kai informed.
"I'm sorry. I tried to free their minds but… he saw my thoughts. He knows about the plan! He knows about you! He knows you're there!"
"What's the matter?" Lloyd asked Kai.
"The Overlord saw Neuro's mind when he tried to free someone from his grasp. He knows about the plan." Kai informed, earning a look of surprise from all the heroes present.
"Do you think he knows about…" Nya said with fear.
"I knew I should have swatted you insects when I had the chance!" They all looked up to the ceiling where they saw some bricks move and a face formed on the ceiling with a pair of red eyes. "You think you can come into my world and get rid of me?!"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure he does." Cole answered Nya's statement.
The Overlord's last choice of words made Rapunzel angry. "This isn't your world!" She angrily said as she pointed to his face on the ceiling. "This isn't your kingdom! You stole it!"
"Foolish child. I take what I desire, and no one takes away from me and lives!"
"You will not succeed this time!" Wu defiantly told the Overlord. "We have defeated you before, and we will do so again!"
"Just because you brought more pieces to the board, doesn't mean I still can't play the same game! Corona is MY kingdom now!"
As soon as he said that; every door was suddenly opened and dozens of corrupted guards and prisoners poured into the dungeon hallway and surrounded the heroes.
Back in the city; the Elemental Masters continued to fight the guards, but soon found more we're coming their way. Only this time, they weren't guards.
"We got more incoming!" Jacob informed, hearing them via echolocation. They all looked and saw them.
"Wait, those aren't guards…" Shade stated.
"Those are civilians!" Toxikta exclaimed with surprise as every man, woman, and even children, all corrupted by the Overlord's influence all came towards them, each of them baring some kind of weapon.
"Oh, that is so uncool!" Griffon exclaimed with anger.
Back on the Bounty, Dareth was getting tired of just standing there and doing nothing. "Aw come on! Let me down there, the Brown Ninja is ready for some action!"
"Patience buddy, you'll get your chance soon." Ronin told him. As soon as they heard that; they all heard a familiar roar and looked to the front of the ship, and they all saw something that made them look in fear.
"Sooner than you might think." Misako stated.
The Ultra-Dragon, under the influence of the Overlord had now flown toward them and was now looking at them with deadly intent.
Done. The battle just escalated. How is this going to turn out for our heroes? Can they succeed? Find out next time, on Tangled with Ninjas.