Children of Destiny

Sorry guys. There won't be much action here but there's still gonna be some pretty important stuff towards the end of this chapter. Also, two of the original ninjas will make a cameo here & as I said, some pretty big stuff will happen towards the end. So please be patient & enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 14: Behind the Scenes

Akira didn't feel as tense as he had last night when he had awoken. He was still worried about his parents, even if they reassured him that they'll be fine.

"That's such a huge relief!" The fire ninja can hear his sister's voice across the hall.

The red ninja remained quiet and still, waiting to hear more.

"Okay Auntie." He heard his sister address the person on the other end of her phone and it was too easy for him to know she was talking to their aunt Nya. They would call their maternal aunt Bella 'zia' or 'tía' while Akira called Nya 'oba-san' and Alex called her 'Auntie'. No, the kunoichi of wind didn't necessarily dislike Bella but it was obvious Nya was her favorite aunt.

"Sure thing… Bye." The brunette girl finally finished her call, giving her brother a chance to talk.

"How's Mom and Dad?" Akira asked the orange kunoichi once her call ended.

"Auntie Nya's visiting them and said that Mom and Dad are doing fine." Alex answered.

The Pyrrhus twins can feel a huge weight getting off their chests knowing that their parents will be okay. Now they felt reassured and were ready to face any new challenge heading their way.

Misako just got a message from Garmadon that left her shaken.

The former dark lord had a disturbing vision and believes that the Overlord has something big up his figurative sleeve and it won't be long before he'll go through with it. However, the smart woman was cautiously optimistic knowing how far the ninja and kunoichi have come since their powers awoken when they were very young.

The new generation showed fairly stable control over their elemental powers but they've only just scratched the surface and their actions alone decide whether or not they'll be able to dig a little deeper but they can't afford to waste more time. The Overlord obviously wasn't one to sit idle with the gangsters and two of the missing men revealed. They'll have to find some way to reach their full potential soon…

The ninjas and kunoichi were back on the deck, awaiting today's training agenda.

Several faint roars barely reached the ninjas' ears just before training commenced.

"What was that!?" Leon asked for everyone else.

What appeared to be eight dots in the bright morning sky grew bigger and the features became more recognizable as they flew closer to the Bounty. The ninja and kunoichi took a closer look and immediately knew what they were.

They can barely believe their eyes!

The elemental dragons were back and even the Ultra Dragon was now four dragons once more!

Not only did the Ultra Dragon divide itself but all of them looked different! Their entire bodies seemed to glow, making the patterns on their scales stand out even more! It was like they got 'upgraded' like weapons from a video game!

The eight dragons glided next to the Bounty and leaned their heads towards the deck to greet their former masters' children.

"Awww, we missed you too!" Amy and Willow stroked Rain's muzzle, who purred at the gentle touch of its former mistress' daughters.

"Flame, is that you?" Akira noticed the red dragon that could've only belonged to his father way back before it fused with Rocky, Wisp, and Shard.

Even the four dragons who were once one recognized their masters' successors but not without taking notice of Leon and Willow, who took care of them before they went to the Spirit Coves.

"How was the Ultra Dragon able to separate?" Willow asked while petting Rocky's blunt snout.

"The Ultra Dragon was just one stage of the dragons' lives," Misako theorized, "The time for the original dragons to separate has come and the four dragons must've sensed they were needed as individuals again."

"But why do they look… I'm not sure how to put it… improved…?" Chris asked.

"The dragons reached a further stage in their elemental strength. This could also be a signal for you to do the same."

Even the large beasts seemed to nod as if in agreement with the wise woman.

The dragons all let out a loud roar in celebration of their reunion and took off to the skies.

"In case you need to summon them from the Bounty, just whistle. They'll come for you just like they did with your parents." Misako gave one last bit of advice of the dragons to her students.

The new generation stared at the skies until the dragons were too far away to be seen. Things were peaceful today but that doesn't mean they're allowed to slack off. Misako told them that they'll be showing their skills in combat to her soon.

But with a good start to the day, they were sure they'll pass…

Heather's day was busier than usual but she was used to this event that comes every year.

Today was the anniversary Zane became human and as always, it was extremely painful for him just like it was when he took that potion. His annual 'illness' always forced him to take a day off from work and his wife had to take care of him. The former nindroid felt terrible for making her go through more stress because of him but she didn't seem to mind. She was home most of the time so she was able to work as a florist and take care of her ailing husband with little difficulty. But that didn't stop him from apologizing constantly whenever he was awake but now, he was on a trip to dreamland where he won't be bothered by his organic body.

With her husband napping off his pain, the former kunoichi of nature crafted a bouquet of pink peonies for her niece Calla's eighteenth birthday that was coming up in a couple of days. It felt like yesterday when she and Zane visited the hospital upon hearing that her sister was in labor. Coincidentally, it wasn't long before she went through the same pain giving birth to Liana. Time has a funny way of flying by pretty fast.

Perhaps even the new generation will get married if she does as much as blink just once.

'They will return…'

Although she settled down years ago, Heather can still communicate with plants. They haven't said much since the Overlord's first defeat but they were getting 'chatty' again, no thanks to his return. Knowing what he may do, the English woman was now all ears.

"Who's returning…?" She asked the flowers.

'A thirst for vengeance…'

Heather was already aware that the Overlord may return but is he really coming back so soon?

'…The thirst will be quenched…'

But there's the possibility the plants weren't just talking about the Overlord.

The creator of all evil wouldn't be the only one wanting vengeance.

There were also the various foes the original ninjas have fought before the final battle. But the kunoichi turned florist remembered a particular group who've plagued the ninjas the majority of their adventures and the sickening schemes they had for the kunoichi…

'It's them…!'

The English woman felt her heart skip a beat but not in the romantic way. It was the type that happens when someone receives horrible news.

Heather went to her shared bedroom to tell Zane of her revelation but grew hesitant once she saw his sleeping figure. The former nindroid looked so peaceful in his dream world away from the pain his current body cursed him with and even if he got older, he still maintained a unique beauty that was part of the reason she fell in love with him in the first place. She didn't want to shatter the tranquility he was experiencing with her ominous news but…

'He's still going to find out sooner or later,' The English woman told herself, 'There's no point in hiding it from someone like Zane…'

Heather's thoughts were interrupted by a low groan. Her husband stirred under the covers and opened his icy blue eyes that was now dull from his illness. As much as it hurt for him to do as much as move a muscle, he still tried to prop himself up on the bed. It was only with his wife's help that he was able to sit up but it only made him feel terrible for her. It seemed like he does nothing but burden her, even after all these years…

"Zane, why are you up?" Heather finally asked once she was sure he was able to speak.

"Heather… something troubles you…" Zane's silky smooth voice came out in a feeble whisper.

"N-nothing…!" The English woman hated lying but she didn't want her husband to get worried while he was still extremely weak.

"If it's really nothing to be concerned about, then your eyes wouldn't look so sad… Something is wrong and I can see it in your eyes…"

Heather sighed in defeat.

She didn't want to tell her husband of her oracle when he's still in great pain but she also didn't want to sugarcoat the truth.

"Zane, we already know the Overlord's planning out his revenge but there's one more thing we forgot about."

"And that is…?"

The kunoichi turned florist can only whisper their name into his ear and the former nindroid can feel a deep pit form deep within him.

"I'm so sorry," Heather apologized, "I didn't want to stress you out. It's already bad enough that you're in serious pain."

"You don't have to apologize," Zane consoled his wife, "We now know what our children are up against. We've defeated them before and we'll pass down that knowledge to them."

"But not until you recover." The former kunoichi said while laying him back down on their bed.

Zane groaned in defeat but was too weak to do anything except what he was told.

At least the one good thing to come out of his yearly illness was being doted on by his wife.

But one question that remained was how he'll be able to make it up to her one day…

The sound of chainsaws and axes echoed in the thick forests near Meerheim.

Cole wiped off the sweat that accumulated on his darkly tanned brow from a hard day's work. With his immense strength, life as a lumberjack wasn't too difficult for the former earth ninja. He was also something of a leader to the other lumberjacks since he was always willing to help them in the logging or get them out of a pickle when there was a mishap. In a way, his job was not that dissimilar to his time as a ninja.

'Guess that's why I got into this job…'

The lumberjacks worked hard to get enough wood to build houses and other structures but just enough for that purpose and nothing more. Unlike what some activists thought, they also cared about the environment and made sure not to go overboard so they don't completely deforest the land but worked just enough to stay in business. Even they knew how important the trees were for the environment and Cole, who had a strong respect for nature knew this was the job for him.

"Hey Cole!" One of the men called out to him, "We need some help over here!"

"I'm on it!" The ever dependable man hopped off from his perch to lend a hand.

Before Cole can go help them, he could've sworn he saw a dark figure wearing a cloak, its face hidden underneath a hood attached to the cloak. The ninja turned lumberjack almost felt as if this mysterious person was staring at him and it sent some creepy chills up his spine yet he had this strange feeling deep inside as if he knew this person…

"Cole!" The men called again, bringing him out of his stupor.

"Désolé!"

The muscular lumberjack was distracted by his co-workers but when he turned back to see the hooded person, they were gone as if they never even existed.

'That's weird…' He stared at the empty space where the person used to be but quickly brushed it off as his eyes playing tricks on him.

The former ninja helped his co-workers load up the trucks and call it a day.

Once the engines turned on, that's when all the problems started.

For some reason, the vehicles just won't move, no matter how many times they tried fixing the engines and turn the steering wheels. They can't even turn it off. All the engines did were roar and buzz.

"S-something's wrong!"

"What now?" Cole grew exasperated but went to inspect the problem.

"The trucks won't move," One of his co-workers complained, "The engines may be backed up or something's wrong with the tires…"

Instinctively, the former ninja hopped off to inspect the engines and wheels for any problems. Unfortunately, engineering and machinery were NOT Cole's forte and the former earth wielder can't detect any issues with his naked eyes. He really wished Zane or even Jay was here to see any problems. A low groan interrupted his thoughts and much to his horror, the trucks started to move but not because of the engines.

With the engines malfunctioning plus being on an uphill part of the woods, the heavy vehicles started sliding downwards and being on a rather steep hill didn't help either.

"Dammit! Can't you stop the engines!?" The former ninja commanded.

The lumberjacks hit the brakes but for some reason, they just won't work!

"We can't!"

"What do you mean you can't!?"

"We think someone also messed with the brakes!"

"Merde!"

Cole hopped off the truck and used his elemental strength to hold the trucks. The lumberjacks also pitched in and held back the large vehicles from sliding down. This brought some time for the ninja lumberjack to summon his elemental powers to raise up the earth around the wheels and pack it tightly around the tires until they were firmly held in place. It was time-consuming for him to stop all the trucks but he managed to pull it off.

But there was still one major problem…

"The logs!" One of the lumberjacks pointed at the teetering wood.

The knots on the ropes that held the wood were disassembled once again by some mysterious being. The trucks were stopped but they were still uphill and the loosened wood can still pose a terrible threat. Cole had to toil again to reassemble the ropes with the lumberjacks' help but it was too late. Many of the logs were already falling off and could cause some serious damage.

"We can't hold on much longer!" The lumberjacks began to panic over the dangerous situation.

"Don't give up!" Cole rallied them, "We have to keep trying!"

But the fates weren't on their side.

The ropes snapped, freeing the felled trees to fall off the trucks and down the hill.

The logs came tumbling down in the lumberjacks' direction! There was no time to escape from the pillars of wood that threatened to crush them on their way down!

Luckily, they had one of the legendary ninjas on their side.

"Earth!"

Through sheer willpower alone, the former ninja summoned a wall of solid earth to burst forth from the ground in front of him and his fellow lumberjacks to halt the felled trees coming their way. He built up wall after wall to stop the logs from crushing them until all the logs have made their descent and the once loaded trucks were empty.

"Is everyone alright?" The former ninja asked and checked for anyone injured once the dust has finally settled.

"We're fine…" One of the employees coughed.

Thankfully, no one was severely injured. Some had bruises but nothing serious.

"What happened back there…?" Another lumberjack stared at the wreckage.

"I don't know but whatever it was… it was no accident…" Cole muttered.

"Who could've done this?"

"And how were they able to do it…?" The lumberjacks' portly boss was stumped by the strange incident but quickly grew suspicious, "Are any of you responsible for this!?"

"No!" His employees immediately denied doing anything wrong, "We didn't do anything!"

"Then who did this!?"

Cole also wondered how someone was able to mess with the engines and loosen the ropes but still do it all without being seen. The former ninja then thought back on the mysterious person he saw not long before the accident. He began to have a hunch that he may have something to do with it…

"We must leave at once!" Cole exclaimed all of a sudden.

"But what about- "

"I don't want any of you to get in danger because of me!"

"What does this have to do with you?"

"Haven't you forgotten that I was a ninja?"

"N-no… sorry…"

"No need to apologize," The ex-ninja dismissed his co-worker, "But we'll need to be careful, in case something like this happens again…"

The former earth ninja looked back at the hooded figure once again.

No human could've done something like that without being seen. It was as if that person wasn't human. At least not anymore…

Cole wasn't sure how he was going to tell Luna about this. It's bad enough for her to constantly worry for their daughters but he knew she was still determined to protect them and he can say the same for himself. They will always be their little princesses and they wanted to help them in any way they can. But the former ninja knew better than to be concerned for just his daughters, especially when the one being targeted was him…

Misako didn't make her students do anything special for today's training but it was because she wanted to observe the way they fight and detect whatever mental obstacle they must conquer.

Some of their emotional issues were already obvious such as Liana's distant attitude and Kyle's innate need to do everything as he expects them to be. Some were more 'subtle' such as Alex's impulsive streak and Melody always having to be led by her comrades. Misako wanted to help but knew better than to interfere on something very important to their development as ninjas. They had to overcome their own obstacles and break away from the chains holding them back from finding their true potential.

Misako remained silent while she watched her students train, paying attention to their fighting style and mannerisms.

Akira was just has brash as his father had been, always going straight for the kill with the Sword of Fire while Amy was more like her father, staying firm as her opponents came at her. Even her movements were strong and powerful as she swung the Scythe of Quakes in one fell swoop to shake the ground beneath her feet.

Despite all the progress they made, Misako can still see some problems the ninja and kunoichi faced and it showed in their fighting style.

Akira can get a little too aggressive, Forrest seemed stuck in one place, and Willow can get a bit clumsy with the Bow of Hours.

"Sensei Misako!" Chris complained impatiently, "Is there anything to learn from this?"

"Be careful what you wish for," Misako warned her student, "One thing a ninja mustn't forget is to expect the unexpected."

"Wait," Willow spoke up, "If we're supposed to expect the unexpected, doesn't that make the unexpected expected? Then the expected will end up being the unexpected and the expected is what we should be expecting the whole time but we're not supposed to expect it… Gosh, this is SO confusing!"

"No," Misako let out a bemused chuckle, "You don't have to take it literally. It's just a figure of speech. But I still recommend keeping your guards up. You never know what'll happen next…"

"But what about learning something new?" Alex asked.

"Sometimes, the answers you seek can be right under your nose. Even the problems that hold you back come from within."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't answer every single question. This is one of those times that you'll have to seek out the answers yourself. Only then will you discover the secrets that lie within you."

'Secrets that lie within…' The new generation pondered over their teacher's cryptic words.

The young ninjas can tell this wasn't going to be easy.

They have a long way to go…

"I have returned…" One of the Overlord's hooded henchman returned to his isolated lair.

"So you have." The as of yet unidentified man can sense the annoyance in his master's voice.

Like Jacob, his lust for vengeance distracted him but unlike Jacob, he managed to keep his face hidden the whole time.

"I apologize, my lord." He immediately bowed down like a submissive dog.

The master of all evil paid no heed to his servant's submission. His patience was waning and he decided now was the time to move on to the next part of his plan for vengeance. The gangsters who sided with him won't be going after the ninjas today.

The gangs he dispatched before were just a bunch of mere delinquents and ne'er-do-wells who willingly joined him to cause trouble just for the sake of it but as childish as they were, they'll be important in this part of his plan. The evil being sent them after the ninjas to test them and see if they will be suitable vessels for his more significant underlings.

"The time has arrived…" The Overlord announced, "Now is the time that you'll finally get your new vessels to get your revenge…"

One of his other cohorts was quick to volunteer for his little 'experiment'. But the master of all evil needed one more subject…

"You!"

The Overlord stared at one of the few remaining thugs. He was one of the few surviving goons from the last encounter with the ninjas. At least this one didn't fool around at that time and he even managed to beat up Leon before his pesky baby sister got in the way.

"You've shown potential," The originator of all evil eyed the human, though he wouldn't be for much longer, "You'll be the perfect subject for the next part of my plan…"

After much preparation, the ritual was almost in full swing.

The gangster stood in the center of the lair, awaiting the hour of destiny.

The other thugs and the hooded men surrounded him and the Overlord finally showed himself to his underlings. Still weak from his battle with the green ninja, the epitome of all evil was now nothing but a tiny orb. Unlike the time he encountered Garmadon, he was even weaker and his tiny form was nothing but a faint wisp of dark smoke.

His diminutive form was somewhat anticlimatic but his servants knew all too well what he was capable of and held their tongues as the dark ritual began.

Being the creator of all evil, the Overlord knew all about the dark arts that the Skullkin still take part of to this day. The fact those bumbling fools still dwell in the underworld confounded him but at least he was able to get the spells he needed from them.

The Overlord murmured some mysterious incantations and the human's body began to glow in an eerie greenish light.

"Rise, oh vengeful one!" The Overlord summoned one of the angry souls of the slain, "Partake of this vessel and claim it as your own!"

The light around him glowed brighter and the other henchmen can see a vague silhouette that didn't even look human. The being the silhouette belonged to can feel its soul returning to the mortal plane and his mind going blank. The last thing the human felt was a brutal pain as if his physical body was being torn apart. The hooded men and remaining humans couldn't take their eyes off as they watched the human's body contort and change. The spectacle unfolding before them was like something straight from a horror movie while the body morphed into something inhuman, something that was thought to be long gone.

Ronin, Jacob, and the other hooded men stared in shock at the figure once the smoke cleared.

Even the men thought they were gone for good but one of them now stood before them, taking what used to be a human body as a vessel for his vengeful soul.

The Overlord stared in awe at the results of his hexing ritual.

Who knew the Skullkin were capable of such dark arts?

"It's good to be back…" The one once thought to be long dead smirked, relishing being back in a physical body.

The body that was human was no longer such. Not only was the human body changed but the soul of the original body was pushed aside for the one standing before the Overlord.

Now he was fully prepared to take back what was rightfully his…

The Overlord was filled with morbid delight at the sight of his now living minion.

The spell seemed to have worked and it's only a matter of time before all of them are revived.

The master of all evil would've grinned if he had a face.

His was now one step closer to exacting revenge on the ninjas…

Holy shit!

I bet you're all wondering what just happened! The answers will be revealed later when we'll see the new generation back in action!

As always, please review!