Children of Destiny
Alright guys! We're finally gonna see 1 of the mysterious men's real identity & we'll get a look into Ninjago's past & another original ninja couple gets to appear in this chapter. As a slight reference to the 5th season of Ninjago, there's gonna be some spooky themes in this chapter so enjoy!
Chapter 10: A Haunting We Will Go
"NINJA-GO!"
Ten tornadoes spun through the obstacle course, taking down everything in their paths. Today, the new generation were working on their teamwork skills by fighting as one and it wasn't that difficult since they've known each other ever since they were small children. It still wasn't easy but they managed to pull it off, working together to pass today's training session.
Misako kept a close eye on them and their progress ever since they embarked on their journey and was pleasantly surprised by their sense of camaraderie. Back in the day, Garmadon and Wu often had a hard time working together, no thanks to the venom that once corrupted the older son of the First Spinjitzu Master. She missed those days but they were in the past and this is the present. Like the flow of time, everyone must keep moving forward.
The wise scholar also saw that Kyle was himself again, intuitive yet rational. He always planned out his attacks and moved swiftly like a sword swiping through enemy forces.
The ninjas and kunoichi were understandably exhausted once training was done.
"Sensei Misako, we already worked together during our previous mission. Why do we have to keep learning about teamwork? We're already a team, aren't we?" Akira asked.
"Teamwork is very important if you are to succeed your parents. Lloyd was the green ninja but he knew he can't do it all by himself. He had Iris to help him overcome his inner demons as well as the other ninja and kunoichi to support him throughout their adventures. Now, you'll have to do the same."
"Yes, Sensei."
During the afternoon break, Misako skimmed through her scrolls in the bridge but wasn't really looking at the words.
'Jacob, Ash, Clouse, and Karl…' She repeated the names of the people who went missing. There was one more on the tip of her tongue but she can't seem to remember it. All she knew about it was that she could've sworn she heard the name before… a long time ago…
"An unknown entity has been spotted at the Hills of Spectra." The computer suddenly said in its perpetually monotonous voice.
A subconscious shudder ran up Misako's body. Even she knew of the dark rumors surrounding the Hills of Spectra. It was one of the very few places where ghost grass grew and it was said to be haunted by angry souls who were killed in the past wars before Ninjago entered its first age of relative stability. Even Wu and Haruka avoided the nefarious place whenever they can.
"Did you scan the premises?" She asked the AI.
"Currently scanning… Location: Hills of Spectra…"
Several tense moments passed before some pictures were displayed on the large monitor. The hills were as bleak as ever and always appeared to be cloaked in nighttime, even when the sun was still out. It was dark but Misako can barely make out a humanoid silhouette.
No one dares to go to the Hills of Spectra so it's obvious something was up but with Ninjago at stake, Misako knew there was no chickening out on this one…
"Students," Misako called her pupils in the living room, "We have another mission."
"What is it?" Amy got up to face her teacher.
"You have to investigate the Hills of Spectra."
Just as the wise woman expected, her students were NOT happy about it.
"Wait a minute!" Chris exclaimed, "The Hills of Spectra!? The ghost grass infested and allegedly haunted Hills of Spectra that no one dares to go near!?"
"Chris, there's no such things as ghosts." Kyle rolled his hazel eyes at his older brother's antics.
"Ghost are the least of your concerns," The wise teacher dismissed her student's superstitions, "A figure, most likely one of the mysterious men you encountered before, was spotted there."
"Whoa! We're supposed to be ninjas! Not paranormal investigators!" Akira exclaimed.
"You never know when or where evil may strike," The scholar spoke back, "Being a ninja is not about the ancient arts and Spinjitzu. You must protect those who can't protect themselves and stop the forces of evil before they can land the first strike."
"Looks like we're going… I guess…" Even the adventurous Leon wasn't looking forward to going to the haunted Hills of Spectra.
"I'll go with you this time," Misako stood up, "I still have much to tell you and I have this feeling that something really big is about to happen…"
"Something important will always happen when we go out to battle," Liana said, "How will this one be of any difference?"
"I'm one who prefers to think with my head but my intuition tells me that
"How will we get to the Hills of Spectra?" Melody asked, "We don't have the dragons with us."
"We'll pass through the city of Phantasma on our way. It's the closest settlement to the Hills of Spectra so I recommend asking the locals for information."
Despite being close to the haunted Hills of Spectra, Phantasma was a tranquil city whose people refused to look towards the nefarious place and avoided it whenever they can. Although it was nowhere near as large as Ninjago City, the people still crowded around the ninjas, feeling quite lucky that they got to visit.
Although he was overcoming his anxiety, Kyle still felt a little uncomfortable around the people staring at him.
"Kyle, are you okay?" Chris turned to his brother, who shook ever so slightly.
"I-I'm fine," The metal ninja replied, "I'm still a little nervous though…"
"Have you seen anyone suspicious around here? Anyone wearing a hooded cloak?" Amy tried asking the locals for any clues.
Unfortunately, all their answers led to a dead end.
Looks like the mysterious person never set foot in Phantasma. The ninja and kunoichi hoped to linger a bit before going to such a spooky place but they pretty much had to suck it up.
The ninjas and Misako had to trek another several miles until they finally arrived…
"The Hills of Spectra…"
The landmark looked just as dark as its reputation.
The ghost grass that grew in great numbers were a deathly grey and were brittle to the touch. The winds blowing across the knolls sounded like pained moans of sorrowful ghosts lingering on the hills for countless years. Even though it was supposed to be daytime, it felt like nighttime at this haunted place with the dark storm clouds that seemed to permanently linger in the skies.
"This place gives me the creeps." Forrest shuddered, not bothering to try communicating with the eerie ghost grass.
"Me too…" Willow clung to her older brother like a lifeline.
Even Misako felt uncomfortable being in the middle of an ill-reputed place but she knew it was all for the greater good of Ninjago. She knew all too well that the fate of the world now rested on the young ninjas' shoulders.
The search seemed fruitless as there was no sign of the Overlord's henchman.
"Can we go now? Please?" Alex hated looking like a baby but she really wanted to leave.
"I understand your desire to leave but we can't until we're sure the hooded man was here and if he still is."
Suddenly, a deep malicious chuckle echoed across the bleak winds.
"W-who's there!?" Leon fidgeted while creating a ball of green light in his hands.
The person stepped up and lo and behold, it was one of the hooded men the ninja and kunoichi encountered back at Ninjago City.
"I never thought you brats were brave enough to come here." The man's face was still hidden under his hood but the ninjas can practically see his arrogant smirk.
"Well sorry for not following your expectations!" Leon retorted.
"Enough, Leon." Misako held him back.
"Scary, isn't it?" The man walked around the ghost grass, "It's said that these hills are haunted by the angry spirits of those who were killed in the chaotic era before the First Spinjitzu Master split the mainland in two. Perhaps you'll be able to placate their tormented souls…"
"I don't like the sound that…" Chris gripped the Nunchucks of Lightning just in case…
"It doesn't matter," The mysterious man continued, "You'll be joining them soon enough."
"Is that a threat?" Akira growled, also keeping a grip on the Sword of Fire.
The man 'answered' by lunging at them but the ninja and kunoichi were ready.
"NINJA-GO!"
Ten tornadoes spun across the grim hills but like before, the sole cloaked man dodged them at an unordinary speed like last time. The ninja and kunoichi kept chasing him but no matter what they did, he was simply faster than them.
Misako began to see a pattern in the battle that was hindering the ninjas.
Each of them were after the hooded man like it was a race. They fought together but it wasn't the same as working as a team. It was like 'every man for himself'. There was no way they can catch him if they treat this like a competition.
"Students! You must work as a team!" The scholar rallied her disciples, "None of you can't take him down by yourselves! You'll only make the task more difficult if you treat your comrades like competition! You're supposed to be a team!"
"She's right!" Melody exclaimed, "We can't catch up by ourselves! We must work together!"
"Yeah!"
Alex, Amy, and Kyle spun a good distance behind the man to keep him from backing away while Akira, Chris, and Leon were the only ones actually trying to attack him and the others just spun about as if to hinder and block the mysterious figure rather than actually fighting him.
'Shit!' The stranger cursed himself once he was surrounded.
He wasn't supposed to show his face, not right now. But their teacher was a washed up shadow of what she used to be. Once he gets through her, he can make his escape.
The hooded man moved in the scholar's direction but there was something he underestimated.
Misako was getting old but her mind was still sharp and she still knew how to fight. She kicked low to send the hooded man falling on his face and grabbed him before he could get up.
"Your time is up!" The bespectacled woman threw back the hood to see his true identity.
The mysterious man's true face was finally revealed. However, the ninja and kunoichi failed to recognize him but someone else did…
"Ronin…!" Misako couldn't be more shocked to see him again.
It all came flooding back in the wise woman's mind.
Ronin was the fifth person who was taken by the Overlord for his army of revenge!
Although it's been many years since she last saw him, he looked like he hadn't aged a day. His long cobalt hair was still held in a low ponytail and his eyes were in the same dark blue hue she thought she would never see again. He even had that same arrogant smirk.
"Long time no see. Eh, Misako?" Ronin sneered at the old woman.
"You look no different than before." Misako coldly commented.
"I'll take that as a compliment." The mysterious man smirked.
The ninja and kunoichi couldn't be more shocked by the revelation that Misako knew Ronin.
"You actually know this guy…?" Akira asked.
"It actually feels nice to see you again, Misako." Ronin smirked at the bespectacled woman.
"I can't say the name for myself…" Misako stepped back and…
"NINJA-GO!"
The scholar engulfed herself in her silver tornado that spun towards him but Ronin evaded the shining twister with a speed that he was unable to achieve back in the day. She can only guess this was because of the Overlord.
"What has the Overlord done to you!?" She glared at her former acquaintance.
"He gave me a second chance at the life I should've led! You will all know my true might!" The formerly missing man let his pent up jealousy fly off the handle, "Those pampered brats left me in the dust all those years ago, just because they thought I- "
"They had a good reason." Misako retorted icily.
"It should've been me who was chosen! I would've made Ninjago more powerful!"
"You would only perpetuate the darkness and chaos the First Spinjitzu Master worked so hard to banish. You were never worthy of being a master of Spinjitzu."
"We'll see about that!" Ronin snarled and a mass of dark energy formed in his hand just like the one either he or one of his comrades tried to do back at Ninjago City.
"NINJA-GO!"
The new ninjas spun around to distract Ronin from completing his spell or whatever he tried to conjure out of his bare hand.
"Dammit!" The new enemy gritted his teeth, "And I wasn't supposed to show my face! Bah! It was already gonna happen in the place!"
The same black clouds from before engulfed Ronin and blinded the ninjas and Misako.
"You will all bow down before the Overlord!" Ronin's voice echoed before the clouds dispersed, leaving behind only echoes of his maniacal laughter.
"What was that…?" Alex whispered.
"Just one part of the Overlord's plan for revenge…" Misako answered ominously…
The new generation couldn't be more relieved to be back in the Bounty but Misako still looked tense and had so much to tell them. Besides, the fact that she knew Ronin bugged her students.
"Sensei Misako, how did you know Ronin?" Liana inquired, "Was he an acquaintance of yours?"
The scholar adjusted her glasses, a telltale sign she had a long backstory to tell her students.
"Not long before the First Spinjitzu Master's passing from this world, his only children, Wu and Garmadon, were enlisted to seek candidates worthy of learning the ancient arts of the ninja. I was one of the candidates chosen as well as Haruka and that's where Ronin comes in."
"Was he a candidate too?" Willow asked, curious to know more of her family's background.
"Yes," The old scholar nodded, "Haruka and I weren't the only ones who were allowed to train at the old monastery. A few other candidates made it as well, including Ronin."
"Wait a minute," Leon interrupted, "I thought only you and Grandma trained there."
"That was after we unlocked our Spinjitzu," Misako said, "The tasks Garmadon and Wu laid out before us didn't entail physical training alone. We also had to prove our hearts were strong and pure. Ronin failed because of his arrogance and greed. Garmadon and Wu saw it in his eyes that he had dark intentions of learning the way of the ninja. He lusted for power and wanted to use the ancient arts to dominate the world. Aware of his true malice, the brothers exiled him from the monastery. I never saw him again… until today."
"Wait!" Leon spoke up, "Why didn't Gruncle Wu tell us about this?"
"He wanted to wait until the time was right. Unfortunately, he isn't the one to tell you."
Sensei Wu was always a man who knew much more than he said aloud so the ninjas found their teacher's answer believable.
"But if he's as old as you and Gruncle Wu, why does he look so young?" Willow asked.
"There are still so many mysteries that are yet to be solved but the answers will come one day, just not today."
"So does that mean the other guys who disappeared want revenge too?" Forrest asked.
"There could be other reasons they would want to join someone as evil as the Overlord. There are some people who have let darkness into their hearts. I know that all too well…"
"But now that we know what we're up against, we might have a chance…" The ever optimistic Melody tried to comfort her teacher.
"How can you be so optimistic at a time like this!?" Akira chewed out the kunoichi of water, "Do you have any idea what we're up against!?"
"Akira," Misako placed a hand on the fiery ninja's shoulder, "Optimism can be very vital when it seems like there's no hope. It may actually strengthen and encourage you when it looks like evil has won. That was how your parents defeated the Overlord."
"So what now?" Amy asked.
Misako sighed in deep contemplation before knowing what to do.
"I need to borrow Haukka for a while. Liana, if you please." She said almost all of a sudden.
Feeling some déjà vu, Liana was only willing to obey her teacher like she did with Lloyd before.
Like Lloyd had done when Ronin disappeared, Misako recorded a message on Haukka, detailing Ronin's return to Wu and Lloyd before releasing it to the skies.
She can only hope they can find out in time…
Life at the monastery was very lonely without the kids.
Lloyd always dreamt of having at least a day of peace without Leon and Willow interrupting his moments with Iris and get a good night's rest but now, their absence only made him feel a deep sense of emptiness.
Iris set out a bowl of piping hot noodles for her husband, his uncle, and herself but also had two extra bowls to place on the table. Seeing the empty seats and noodles waiting for two children who will never arrive caused her to break down in bitter tears.
"Iris, I know it's hard to take in but our children are growing up." Lloyd comforted his wife.
"I just miss them so much." The former kunoichi of time wept in his arms.
"You were all aware that this day would come," Wu told his former disciples, "No one's young forever and you two should know that."
Remembering the sacrifices they made in the past, Lloyd and Iris took in the sage's words. Time can only move forward, even if the latter had some control over it.
Haukka perched itself on Wu's shoulder and opened its beak to play Misako's message.
"Wu, I have something very important to tell you and Lloyd." Her voice echoed from the avian robot's open beak.
The trio were all ears. Whenever Misako had something important to say it was important.
"Ronin has returned."
Wu felt something terrible within him like a demon from the past catching up to him.
'Ronin!?' Lloyd remembered that he was the last person to disappear before naming his pupils official ninjas but the message continued.
"Ronin is back and for reasons I have yet to know, he hasn't aged a bit but that isn't important. He's most likely working for the Overlord as part of the army he's building to exact revenge on us and the new generation."
(*) "Fukushu…?" Wu's quiet voice was filled with dread.
"The original ninjas were the ones who defeated the Overlord so even they may be targeted. I want you all to be careful and to be on the lookout for the other men he has taken."
After the message ended, Haukka lingered as if waiting for a new task.
"Uncle, who's Ronin?" All Lloyd knew about Ronin was his name when the he first heard that he went missing and nothing else.
The old sage sighed over yet another memory he wished not to relive before confessing…
"It was long before you were born that your father and I sought out candidates to pass on the way of the ninja, your mother and Misako among them. Also amongst the potential successors was Ronin. Not only did they have to show skills in the art of self-defense but they also had to have an untainted spirit, which Ronin didn't have. He only wanted power so his might can be on par with my father's but Garmadon and I expelled him from the monastery."
Lloyd and Iris remained in astonished silence, letting their former teacher continue.
"Garmadon and I always saw it in his eyes that he was a selfish man who only wanted to learn the way of the ninja not to protect Ninjago in its time of need to further himself."
"So he joined the forces of evil to get revenge." Lloyd finished for his uncle.
"Oh… oh no…" Iris gasped, "Our kids are still out there and he might get to them…"
"It's too dangerous for them!" Lloyd slammed his fist on the table, "We have to get the children back here immediately!"
"Lloyd, they have to face reality in order to fulfill their destinies like you have. Sheltering them will only hinder their progress."
"But we can't just leave them out there!" Iris cried, "They're still vulnerable!"
"The most important thing you must do is to have faith in your children. If you don't, they won't be able to overcome any obstacles. It's your responsibility as parents to support your little ones as they grow into ninjas."
"We know that!" Lloyd sighed in frustration, "But we shouldn't have been so naïve to think our children can handle it by themselves! They still have so much to learn and we're getting old!"
"Hope is not yet lost," Wu said, "The elements are still strong within you. You didn't name your children ninjas to fight for you. They're now ninjas so they can fight alongside you. As parents, it is your duty to always guide your children, no matter what happens. Even if they're many miles away, your support will help them answer the call of destiny."
Lloyd and Iris really wanted to be there for their children but at the same time, knew that they had to let them go so they can truly grow up into the ninjas they're destined to be.
As the saying goes, nothing is ever easy…
Liana was greeted by a shrill caw echoing through the sunrise.
Haukka finally returned to its mistress' side.
"Welcome back," The white kunoichi stroked its feathers, "How is Sensei Lloyd doing?"
The mechanical falcon nodded, as if to say her former teacher was faring well.
Misako called for a meeting before the ninja and kunoichi can start their first training session.
At the bridge, the team tried to figure out what to do.
The Overlord's army may want revenge not just on them but their parents.
"It's only a matter of time before the other missing men reveal themselves to us," Misako said warily, "You won't be the only ones they're targeting. They could possibly be after your families as well. Chris, Kyle, you still remembered what that gang tried to do to Sayuri, do you not?"
"Of course…" Chris clenched his fist, still upset that he wasn't able to protect his baby sister.
"Then why are we standing here!?" Aria got up, "We have to go back to our parents!"
"I don't recommend it." Misako shook her head.
"Why not!?"
"Your parents are still strong. They still have their elemental powers flowing within them. Even if they didn't, I still see it in their eyes that they would do anything to protect you. They've put all their faith in you and you should have faith in them as well. You may be far away but never underestimate the bonds parents have for their children. They named you ninjas not so you can fight in their place but to fight with them."
"So now what do we do?"
"Train of course," Misako answered, "But at the same time, I want you to keep your guard up in case anything else happens. It's only a matter of time before the other hooded men reveal their true faces and further mysteries will be solved, and not just those of the enemies but also those within yourselves."
"Ourselves…?" Amy grew curious.
"Patience," The scholar said, "The answers you seek will come when it's time. Sometimes, it will come when you least expect it. That's all part of life. You must expect the unexpected…"
Elsewhere in Ninjago, in a secluded area out of the reach of man, Ronin had to face the music…
"You showed your face AND ran away from them!?" The Overlord's harsh voice boomed across the dark hideout that was his base of operations since his humiliating defeat. Ronin, one of his newest henchmen, was on all fours, his head lowered so he won't face his new master.
"I apologize, My Lord." Ronin bowed down in shame, "I have underestimated those brats but I swear, I won't fail you again."
"You better…" The disembodied voice echoed across the hidden base.
The Overlord would've done away with Ronin like he had done with his lesser goons earlier but he was actual value to his goal of revenge and spared him… for today.
His remaining henchmen lingered in the background, their faces still having yet to be revealed to the world since their 'disappearances'. But it was actually a bit pointless hiding themselves if they'll show their faces one day.
"What difference would it make if we end up showing our faces?" One of the remaining hooded men asked, "Those ninja brats would find out sooner or later."
"You will obey every last word I say!" The Overlord's angry voice practically shook the area.
The hooded men also bowed down, not wanting to inquire their master's anger any further.
"Power…" The Overlord said hungrily, "I need more power… I still don't have enough strength. What I need is…"
It took just a moment before such a sick twisted idea formed in the Overlord's dark mind.
Why look for power by himself when he can just take it from those that already have it?
Like a certain group of old has-beens…
'Yes…' The dark lord would've had such an evil smile on his face should he have any, 'The ninjas could help me with my plan…'
His henchmen can only guess what he was up to but they swore allegiance to him and if this is what it takes to get their revenge as well, so be it.
After all, revenge is a dish best served cold…
(*) Fukushu = Revenge (Japanese)
How's that?
If anyone's saying 'But Ronin's nothing like the way he is in the game!', that's because the Ronin in this story is NOT the same canon Ronin. He just has the same name & I came up with his backstory before we actually knew anything about him.
It's also a matter of time before the other henchmen reveal themselves & that's where shit will get real so hold on to your hats!
Also, I'm still feeling anxious since my tooth filling's been delayed to Monday & I hate needles… *shudders*
Any reviews may help me out both for finding inspiration & getting over my anxiety so you all know the drill. Review!