Children of Destiny
Okay folks! There's FINALLY gonna be some action in this chapter! But first, the new ninja & kunoichi have to get used to their new home, there's also gonna be an Akira/Liana moment, & a very special character will make their appearance! Enjoy!
Chapter 7: It's Our First Day
For once the new ninjas and kunoichi didn't wake up early to the sound of a gong, nor to their teammates sleeping next to them. They each woke up in their plain individual bedrooms.
One of the first to get up was Forrest, the new ninja of nature.
The tall fourteen-year-old stretched his drowsy muscles before going down the hall to greet the sunrise but he only remembered he was in the new Destiny's Bounty when he found himself in the laundry room rather than the courtyard of the monastery he was so used to. It took several minutes but Forrest managed to reach the deck where he was greeted by the rays of morning and the sound of waves crashing upon the ship.
'This is amazing…!' He gazed at the new sights around him, from the rippling waters to the birds soaring in the heavens.
The ninja of nature walked down to the bridge to get the agenda for today but he found Misako already up and reading through some papers in the bridge.
"Good morning, Sensei Misako," Forrest greeted his new teacher, "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. I'm just looking through the instructions to control and maintain the ship that Jay left for me."
The tall boy still looked around the bridge in wonder. Although it wasn't as strong as Liana's he too had a thing for technology. Forrest gently brushed his hand along the panel of controls and stared at the main computer screen.
"I trust you've slept better than you have at the monastery." Misako said all of a sudden.
"Well, at least there's no gong to make my eardrums explode." Forrest answered.
"You said it." Another voice said, startling the ninja of nature.
"Leon! Don't do that!" The freckled boy complained.
"Come on! It's funny!" The new green ninja retorted.
"Now, now," Misako got in between them, "This is only your first day on the Destiny's Bounty. You should make it pleasant."
The two pouted but forgot about their little dispute.
One at a time, the rest of the team got up until they were all gathered in the bridge.
"What are you gonna make us do today?" Willow asked.
"This is only your first day on the Bounty," The wise woman said, "I recommend getting used to your new home before you embark on your true journey."
The new generation spent all morning exploring their new home and they all agreed it was very different from the monastery and even their own homes.
"What do you think?" Kyle asked once they had enough exploring.
"This is great!" Melody exclaimed, "It's not like anything I've experienced before!"
"I have to admit, I kinda miss being stuck in the monastery with you guys." Akira admitted.
"Hey, we're still here, aren't we?" Amy reminded the fire ninja.
"Yeah…" The olive-skinned boy answered, stealing a quick glance at Liana.
The pale girl was accompanied by Haukka as always but he only got a glimpse of her before she sauntered off. Again, these strange feelings went off inside him. No matter how much he tried to ignore them, it just kept coming back.
What Akira didn't know was that similar sensations were going off in Liana's heart as well.
'What is going on…?' The white kunoichi held her heart where these strange feelings got to her.
She never felt this way towards anyone, not even her own family, but why…?
Akira was very different from her.
While she was quiet and had trouble mingling with others, the fire ninja was loud and was more often than not, leading the guys into trouble so why do these feelings come up whenever she's close to him?
If anything, he was essentially her opposite and not just because of their elements.
They would NOT make a good couple as far as she's concerned…
But she had to admit he was pretty good-looking…
'Stop it Liana!' She shook her head fervently, 'You can't judge a book by its cover!'
"Liana!" A hand waved over her face, grabbing her attention.
"W-what…?" The white kunoichi saw Melody staring at her with concern in her emerald eyes.
"Liana, are you okay?" The kunoichi of earth asked, "You weren't being yourself."
'Being myself…'
More often than not, her father encouraged her to be true to herself, even if it won't be easy. He claimed he went through the same thing she had but she wasn't sure if she'll have the same outcome as he did. He was eventually accepted for who he was. He wasn't exactly the same as her. While he was still willing to socialize, she wasn't as interested, being content with Haukka and no one else. The former ninja was still known to be very sweet then and now while she had a reputation for being 'cold' back at her school.
She did not look like it but she did feel hurt by the harsh words thrown at her but it didn't help her unfriendly reputation back home.
So why would Akira bother to get close to her?
He'll probably end up like the other teens at school and think she's weird…
"Liana!" This time, Alex gave the ice wielder a rough pat on the shoulder to get her attention.
"What!?" Liana raised her voice, something she almost never did.
The girls, who gathered around her in the hall, were surprised by her outburst.
"What was that all about?" Melody asked in astonishment.
Not sure what to say, Liana made a run for it into her room.
'This is just a phase…' The ice wielder told herself, 'You'll get over it. Just give it some time…'
The white kunoichi always tried to keep her distance from the others, thinking they'll only think of her as a strange girl like the other teens at school.
'I just have to keep my distance. That way I won't be turned down more than I already have…'
Another peaceful day has passed at the new Bounty but that doesn't mean the new generation can slack off. Nothing unusual has happened in Ninjago but Misako still made sure her students remained cautious of any threat that can literally pop up.
"No one, not even I, know when evil plans to strike," She summoned the obstacle course on the deck, "So you must continue your training today."
"Understood."
The new generation took their turns on the obstacle course which was just like the one back at the monastery. They were getting very close to unlocking their Spinjitzu even if they can't see it but Misako can. It was so vague it was easily missed but the wise scholar can see it. Whenever each of them trained, they were surrounded by a very vague aura in their signature color but it lasted less than a full second.
It won't be long until they'll be able to do Spinjitzu…
'Their powers are building up. It's only a matter of time before they unlock their true powers.'
Misako can tell something big was about to happen soon.
Little did she know she was right…
The new generation spent their break getting accustomed to life on a ship, such as cooking for themselves to doing the housework. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows but they didn't mind. It also gave them a chance to be more independent.
But there were times they sorely missed the family and friends they had to leave behind.
Willow sat alone on the deck, staring at the crystal heart in her hand, her mother's kind words echoing in her head. She still had her brother but it still felt lonely for the twelve-year-old girl to not have her parents there to guide her and help her with training. She even missed the times she got scolded when she deliberately disobeyed them.
"You miss Mom, don't you?" Leon's sudden voice surprised her but she kept most of her cool.
Willow nodded, not wanting to say it out loud.
"I know how you feel," The green ninja ruffled his sister's brownish-gold locks, "I miss Mom and Dad too."
"Really…?"
"Yeah. It's also kinda scary being on our own and surrounded by strangers."
"But the other ninja and kunoichi aren't strangers. We've known them all our lives."
"I meant not being with our parents."
Just mentioning their parents was enough for Willow to sigh sadly and stare out into the ocean.
"It's so strange not having Mom and Dad around…"
"Come on, sis. It's not that bad. We still have the ninjas and Sensei Misako."
"I know but… it's just not the same…"
"I feel the same way but it's all part of growing up. We're not going to be kids forever."
"I guess…"
Willow stole another peek at the crystal heart before following her brother back inside. Looking at the heart charm, she did feel safe and loved. She knew her mother was right. No matter how far apart they'll be, her parents will always love her.
'Mom… Dad… I'm gonna do my best!'
The sunrise harkened the beginning of another peaceful day at the Destiny's Bounty 2.0.
But this time, the peace was short-lived.
Suddenly, the ship's alarm went off.
"Danger, danger," The monotonous voice of the main computer's AI echoed across the Bounty, "Enemies detected at Ninjago City."
The whole group rushed into the bridge and saw map that popped up upon their arrival. A few red dots flashed where Ninjago City would be.
"Those must be the bad guys!" Melody pointed at the dots.
"Get this ship to Ninjago City! Now!" Misako commanded.
"Got it!" Chris grabbed the steering wheel and guided the ship in the direction of Ninjago City.
"Set the auto-pilot towards Ninjago City!" The ninja of lightning commanded.
"Auto-pilot mode: on." The AI droned out, "Destination: Ninjago City."
The new generation gathered around the TV in the living room to get the latest scoop NTV has to offer to its viewers.
"This just in," Anna, the NTV reporter announced, "There have been sightings of the thugs Jay attacked at Buddy's Pizza earlier around the outskirts of Ninjago City. We'll show you footage of them right now."
The following video had a low resolution so the footage was blurry but the ninjas and kunoichi can see three human figures loitering around the back alleys. The news also provided the crude drawing from earlier for comparison. Despite the blurry video and pretty bad drawing, the new ninjas and kunoichi can't deny the similarities. Even the guy with the Mohawk matched up.
"That is all of the footage but again, if you catch sight of any of them, contact authorities right away! Ninjago's fate depends on it!"
The report continued but the ninja and kunoichi were no longer interested since they gathered around their teacher for the agenda for today.
"You should investigate the city," Misako suggested, "It seems that those thugs prefer to hang out there. Where else can they find so many people to torment?"
"Does this mean we have to go stop them?" Chris asked.
"You took the words right out of my mouth." Their teacher said.
"Alright!" Akira boasted, "Looks like this is our moment to shine!"
"Akira, this is serious!" She reprimanded him, "The fate of Ninjago depends on all of you! This is not the time to get egotistical!"
The new generation whistled for their loyal dragons, who swooped down to take their masters' children to the city.
"Misako, will you be okay by yourself?" Melody asked her new teacher from atop Rain.
"Don't worry about me," The bespectacled woman answered, "Just go to Ninjago City and seek out the gang. If you find any further clues of the disappearances, tell me straight away."
"Got it!"
The ninjas and kunoichi finally made it to the city but they noticed that the dragons were tired out more quickly than usual.
"Leaf, is something wrong?" Liana asked the dragon of nature, who kept panting like a dog in a hot car.
"They look like the Ultra Dragon when it was getting ready to shed." Leon remembered seeing similar symptoms in the four-headed dragon right before it left.
"Hold out just a little longer, okay?" Alex patted Breeze's snout, "We just have to check out the city for a moment."
The city didn't seem to be having any catastrophe but the inhabitants still looked a little tense, as if something terrible just happened.
"So, should we split up or stick together?" Leon asked.
"We're still new so it might be too risky to separate but that means we'll have less of a chance of spotting those thugs," Chris began, "But keep your eyes peeled for anything out of place."
"Right!"
The new generation scoped out the city for anything unusual and asked the citizens all sorts of questions concerning the gang and disappearances but everything seemed to be a dead end.
Just when they were ready to give up, a familiar face approached them.
"KIDS!"
It was Dareth, a good friend of their parents.
The brown ninja still had his chest hair and pompadour but there were hints of grey hairs in the flamboyant hairstyle and his face was marked with age lines but he was still the same ol' Dareth the ninjas knew and loved. Following him was Darrell, his fifteen-year-old son and assistant at the dojo he still runs.
Unlike his father, Darrell had a fit build and his brown hair fell in natural waves and he was fairly competent in martial arts. He also met the new generation several times during their parents' visits and they too thought of him as a really good friend.
"Oh, what bring you here Mr. Dareth?" Willow asked.
"The gang…!" The middle-aged man huffed in between breaths, "They… they're coming...!"
The ninjas and kunoichi were shocked by the seemingly incompetent man's words.
"You saw them!?" Alex asked, "Where did you see them!?"
"We saw them heading for the museum!" Darrell pointed in the general direction, "We have no idea what they'd want from that place but it's probably important!"
The new generation as well as Dareth and Darrell set off for the museum.
By the time they already got there, people were fleeing but the ninjas and kunoichi managed to get answers from some of them.
"Are the gangsters here?" Forrest asked one of the men running from the building.
"Y-yes…!" He nodded frantically.
"Did you see them?" Kyle asked the citizen, "Where are they now?"
"T-t-they're at the west wing!" He pointed at one of the halls.
"Let's go!"
The new ninja and kunoichi made a beeline down the hall towards the west wing. Having been there a few times, Leon began to remember something about that area of the museum.
'Isn't the west wing the place where they have all that real ancient history and stuff…?'
But there was no time to ponder over such things.
The citizens of Ninjago were in danger and they had to stop the forces of evil from winning.
The long hall seemed to last forever but they finally heard evil cackles and they finally reached the end of the hall where their targets still lingered. Right in front of them were the very same gangsters from the pizzeria incident, causing yet more trouble for the citizens of Ninjago while hoarding all the ancient relics in the area.
"You!" Chris and Kyle held out their weapons against the same gang that tried to take Sayuri.
"Well, well, well," The thugs smirked maliciously, "Looks like we've got company."
The gang cackled as they circled the young ninjas like a pride of lions.
Some of the new ninjas grew nervous but tried not to show it, especially on their first day.
The leader with the Mohawk licked his lips lasciviously towards Liana, much to Akira's jealousy. Forrest's 'protective brother' instincts also kicked in as he watched the thug circling his sister.
"Hey, baby," He strutted over to the kunoichi of ice, "Why don't you ditch these morons and let me show you the world and more."
Akira and Forrest's eyebrows were twitching in rage seeing the pale girl being harassed but she remained eerily calm about it.
Liana kept a firm grip on the Shurikens of Ice and gave the leader nothing but a stare as cold as her element, not at all deterred by his glass eye giving off her reflection.
"What do you say?" The leader smirked, "Come with me and we'll make the world ours."
"Perhaps." The kunoichi of ice said coolly, much to her teammates' shock.
"Liana…!" Forrest gasped at his sister's supposed compliance with the villains.
"If you can catch me first!" Liana suddenly leapt from the thug and worked her frozen magic.
"ICE!"
Before he knew it, the man with the Mohawk was literally frozen to the ground by a layer of ice encasing his feet. No matter how hard he struggled, the ice wouldn't melt.
"Get her!" He howled at the other thugs who scrambled to obey their incapacitated leader.
"Come on!" Alex rallied the others, "We have to fight!"
The group let out a battle cry and duked it out with the gang. Even Darrell helped out by using hand-to-hand combat against the thugs. All the while, the leader struggled to free himself from his icy prison. It took more than a little brawn to finally break the ice and now he wanted to get back at the white kunoichi.
"You bitch!" He growled at the kunoichi of ice but another sharp pain struck him on the back.
"No one calls my sister a bitch!" Forrest glared daggers at him with his silver staff engulfed in a teal aura before using it to strike him again.
The leader lunged at the tall ninja but the ninja of nature was more than willing to fight back.
The ninja and kunoichi continued to duke it out with the thugs. All the while, they began to feel a slight sense of familiarity fighting them much like they did with the dummies at the obstacle course back at the monastery.
"Guys! This is just like when we trained together!" Leon exclaimed through the flying fists, "We can do this!"
Each ninja and kunoichi were surrounded by their respective aura before they finally unlocked their true power.
"NINJA-GO!"
The new ninjas and kunoichi finally unlocked their Spinjitzu in their desire to protect those who needed them most. They spun and were quickly engulfed in bright elemental tornadoes.
Akira's Spinjitzu was like a large whirling flame, Kyle's sparkled like gold, and so on as the ninjas spun all over the 'arena'. But still being inexperienced, the new ninjas' Spinjitzu was somewhat unstable as the tornadoes wobbled and flickered but their elemental powers remained strong and was enough to overwhelmed the enemies.
"We have to retreat!" One of the gangsters cowered.
"No!" The leader barked, "Not until we get rid of these brats!"
Alex's orange tornado with gusts more fierce than the others quickly engulfed him and the pain that coursed through his whole body was enough to convince him that he and his goons were no match for the ninjas.
"Retreat!" He ordered rather hypocritically.
"The big guy's not gonna be happy about this!"
"You assholes are just lucky!" One of the thugs pointed at the ninjas before retreating.
The new generation taunted their enemies as they scurried away.
"That's right losers!" Kyle laughed at them, "Run home to mommy!"
"We did it!" Willow cheered, "We beat them!"
The braver citizens who stayed and watched the whole thing approached the young heroes. A little girl in particular walked up to Chris.
"Uh… Mister…? Are you a ninja…?" She asked in a timid whisper.
The girl's mother dragged her back but soon, the crowd began cheering for the new heroes but they were too caught up trying to figure out why the gang was at the museum in the first place to pay attention to their new fans.
"The only thing bugging me is… why were they here?" Forrest asked no one in particular.
"And what would they want in a museum?" Alex examined the relics the gang tried to steal.
Most of the old artifacts had something to do with the First Spinjitzu Master and Overlord's first battle countless ages ago, such as weapons with scenes of the battle etched onto the blades.
"You know, this could give us a clue on what we're really up against." Amy examined one of the scrolls depicting the First Spinjitzu Master.
"Sensei Misako would know," Leon said, "She did work in this museum before…"
The new generation returned to the Bounty and were greeted by Misako.
"You have done well," The bespectacled woman greeted them, "You have finally unlocked your Spinjitzu. It's only a matter of time before you can unleash your true potential."
"You already know what happened?" Melody asked.
"Yes. It's all over the news."
The new ninjas and kunoichi all gathered in front of the TV and saw themselves on the screen.
"This just in, the gang have been thwarted off not by one of the former ninjas but by their kids! Could they truly be the heroes Ninjago needs?"
The new generation beamed with pride, already being recognized as heroes.
"You may have won this round but the battle isn't over," Misako reminded her students, "There could be more villains out there and we still know very little of the disappearances."
"We're… sorry…" Alex lowered her head in embarrassment.
"No. You haven't failed," Misako shook her head, her grey braid swaying behind her, "You still have much to learn and you can't do it all at once. It'll take a series of adventures, experiences, and trials before you can truly stop the forces of evil."
"By the way," Liana spoke up, "After we defeated the gang, we found what they were trying to steal. They were going after the older relics at the museum. Most of the stuff they tried to steal had to do with the earliest known history of Ninjago. Do you think this could mean something?"
Having worked at the museum before joining the original ninjas, Misako knew everything about it, from its layout to every artifact it displayed. If they were going after the most ancient relics of Ninjago's history, then that means…
"So they are working for him…" The old scholar whispered.
"Him…?" Forrest asked, "Who's 'him'?"
"I'll tell you soon…"
"Come on, Sensei," Leon complained, "Just tell us who it is!"
"You should all get some rest," Misako said in a calm but firm tone, "It's very important for you to be in your best shape when the final battle comes."
The students gave their teacher a curious yet wary glance before leaving. After waiting several moments, the wise woman went through the scrolls she took with her, even if she knew what was happening already.
"He has returned…"
Elsewhere in Ninjago, he bellowed in rage over his minions' failure.
"Fools!" The mastermind's voice echoed with wrath, "You failed and lost to a bunch of brats!"
"N-no! No! It's not what you think- !"
"Are you calling me an idiot!?" Their boss' voice boomed with even more fury.
"I-i-it was just beginner's luck…!" Another slave tried making excuses, "W-we'll surely get them next time!"
"There won't be a next time!"
The goons tried to flee from their boss but he quickly caught up to them and smothered them in shadows. They screamed in agony before an explosion of thick black smoke. The rest of the servants looked on with at least a little bit of astonishment over their new master's formidable powers. They now know better than to anger him…
"I do NOT wish to have my comeback marked by failures!"
"So when do we come in?" One of the servants asked.
Some of the new minions joined their leader out of their own free will for their own reasons at the prospect of having their deepest desires granted…
"You may be recognized by the less… unintelligent humans… I wouldn't go out now if I were any of you…"
"But when do we get our revenge?" A disembodied voice asked.
"When the time is right." The leader answered.
The mastermind still didn't have enough power to make his return and as much as he hated to let those bratty upstarts have things their way, he wanted them to grow overconfident, tricking them into believing they actually have a chance against him.
"When the time comes, the world will know true despair!"
The mysterious being's cackles echoed through the lair.
The battle between light and darkness has begun anew…
So what do you think?
There'll be more action later & there's going to at least 1 more couple showing up later in the story! I also forgot to mention that whenever the Bounty's computer speaks, imagine it having Pixal's voice.
Until the next chapter comes, review!