Children of Destiny
Okay everybody! There's gonna be a lot of stuff going on in this chapter! First, we find out who Melody has a crush on. Second, one of the Overlord's as of yet unknown henchmen will reveal himself, & lastly, there's gonna be some MAJOR drama in the end! All I can say is hold on tight cuz this is gonna be one big roller coaster of drama!
Chapter 16: Teenage Drama
Another meeting was held at the monastery with the original ninjas that was arranged the very moment Lloyd received word from Misako that Pythor was revived. His poor wife was in tears, thinking about what the Anacondrai could do to her family just to have her for himself. He tried anything he can to comfort Iris but she was inconsolable.
In the meeting room, the other adults were also dismayed by the Serpentine's return, especially the kunoichi.
"That son of a bitch is at it again!" Cole gritted his teeth in deep ire while wrapping his muscular arms protectively around Luna.
"Shit!" Jay clenched his fists, "We were so stupid to not have seen this coming!"
"Of course they would side with another revenge-seeking entity," Garmadon furrowed his thick brows, "Now they have another reason to avenge themselves."
"And that is…?" Luna asked, expecting the former dark lord to finish.
"They'll threaten the lives of your children."
"But we weren't even married then!" Aria pointed out, "What would the Serpentine want with our kids!?"
Having been a villain who even sided with the Serpentine, Garmadon knew all too well what the snakes may want with the new generation and subconsciously placed his hand over the other, feeling two tiny holes that were there since that fateful day when he was just a boy.
"The Serpentine are very deceitful creatures. They may put your children's lives in danger and I wouldn't be surprised if they'll attempt to trade their lives in exchange for having… mates."
The original ninja and kunoichi weren't TOO surprised by the ex-tyrant's answer but that didn't mean they were any less outraged.
"It's just Pythor but the Overlord might even revive Skales and the other Serpentine leaders."
"But it's still us they want!" Nya exclaimed.
"But don't forget it was also you who eliminated them," Haruka reminded the original ninjas of that brutal event that resulted in the extinction of the Serpentine, "You were but young ninjas but you proved yourselves not for power and glory but to save your loved ones. That's the main purpose of you being ninjas, no?"
"If they put Heather or my children's life on the line, I'll gladly do it again." Zane vowed.
After going through so much, from discovering his origins to having major bumps on the road to a relationship with Heather, a potential second showdown with Skalidor, should he be revived, will be nothing for the former nindroid.
"I know but I don't want my sons get all worried because of me…" Nya said.
"Your children are still learning and growing up but if you keep fretting over this situation, you will be burdening them just as you fear." Garmadon spoke sternly.
The parents felt a pang of guilt from the former dark lord's slightly harsh words but he was also right. The one thing their children needed above all else was parental love and support. If they can't give it to them, they may not be able to
"I know none of you have forgotten the way of the ninja," Wu spoke, "As you've always said, a ninja never quits."
"Yeah," Kai nodded, "I'll still do whatever I can for my kids."
Wu knew his former students never forgot the lessons they've learned during their adventures. They've had their fair share of good and bad moments along the journey but now, it was their children's turn.
They can only hope they'll be able to learn much from their journey and drive off the shadows…
The morning's training session has ended and the new generation were exhausted and wanted nothing more than a good break but not before they put all the equipment away.
"Hey Melody," Amy beckoned her little sister, "Do you want to watch some movies with us?"
"Just a sec!" The kunoichi of water put away the spare weapons the ninjas used on the obstacle course with a blush on her face whenever she faced the far end of the deck.
Again, Amy rolled her eyes over her sister's latest infatuation. But she also noticed it was Chris who was at the opposite end of the deck and no one else. The lightning wielder was oblivious to his teammate's lovestruck stares as he organized the collection of sai from the obstacle course.
Amy knew this can only mean one thing…
Melody's current crush was none other than Chris Walker.
Before the purple kunoichi can put away the remaining spears, her sister grabbed her arm and made a mad dash for her room.
"What was that about!?" The raven-haired girl pouted once her sister shut the door.
"You have a crush on CHRIS!?" Amy whisper-yelled at her sister.
"Yeah…?" Melody responded, knowing how Amy acted whenever she developed a crush.
"H-h-he's… He's seventeen…!" The black kunoichi brought up the three-year age gap between the eldest ninja and her fourteen-year-old sister.
"It's not that big of a gap!"
"T-that's not the whole point!"
"Then WHAT is!?"
"Do you have any idea how a real relationship works!?"
"I'm fourteen! I'm not a kid anymore!" The aqua-eyed girl argued.
"That's not an excuse to rush into a relationship!" The kunoichi of earth scolded her, "Don't you remember what Mom and Dad taught us!? There's more to it than looks!"
"I'm not shallow!"
"Then prove it! It seems to me you only like Chris for his looks!"
"That's not all I see!" Melody countered.
"Then why else would you like Chris?"
"He's really smart but he's also fun to be with. He's like a big brother to all of us."
"But there's more to him than being the eldest member of the team and he probably wouldn't feel the same way towards you."
"But we've been hanging out together for years."
"This is different! We all know each other as friends and relatives but not as lovers!"
"What about Akira and Liana? They seem to like each other a lot!"
"They're still taking their time sorting out their feelings. It's not healthy to rush into something as big as a romantic relationship."
"I'm not rushing!"
"And how do you know if you really like Chris or if he's just one of those infatuations you've had over the last couple of years?"
"We've been hanging out for years. At least I know him more than the guys at school."
"What about the ones you've had a crush on?" The black kunoichi pointed out.
Amy wasn't sure whether to just let Melody's infatuation run its course or continue guiding her. She also knew what her sister was going through, having had her own share of infatuations but she didn't develop crushes as easily and she didn't want to risk Melody's fickle preferences and all the potential heartbreaks warping her. Sure, she can be a little shy but she's really a kind girl and the kunoichi of earth wanted her to be happy.
"Melody, I'm sure you'll find the right one for you but they don't just come down from the sky. Sometimes, your first love isn't necessarily your true love. The perfect one for you could come when you least expect it and he may not be exactly what you'd think." Amy tried to lecture her sister without making her feel bad.
Melody can only bite her bottom lip in deep thought.
"Do you remember what Mom said about herself?" The earth wielder brought up their mother, "Back when she was a little girl, Mom always thought she'd marry a musician but she ended up with Dad. He sings and dances every now and then but he isn't exactly a professional musician but she no longer cared about being with a singer when she met and married him."
"And what does that have to do with crushes?"
"Melody, the one you think is the right one for you may not be exactly what you think he may be. That's why I don't want you to rush into these things."
"I'm not trying to rush…"
"Just don't put all your eggs in one basket, okay?" Amy advised her sister, "Like I said, the right one may only come when you least expect it."
"I'll try…"
"You promise?"
"I promise."
The sisters exchanged pinky swears, trusting their strong sisterly bond.
The new generation spent their afternoon making the most out of their free time when things took a turn for the worse.
The alarms buzzed louder than ever at the docked Bounty.
In a matter of seconds, everyone was assembled in the bridge.
"An unknown entity is approaching the Bounty." The AI said, displaying one of the cloaked men walking in a rugged terrain. But that terrain was where the Bounty was.
"Crap!" Forrest immediately went for the controls, getting the ship to go skyward. The engines went on full throttle but it always took some time before the Bounty can actually lift off and the sound of something big landing on the deck resounded above the roaring engines.
It was too late.
"Trespasser alert. Trespasser alert." The alarm lights blinked red and the ninja and kunoichi had no choice but to confront the invader themselves. It didn't surprise them that the unwelcome guest was one of the cloaked men.
"What do you want?" Leon hissed as a ball of green energy formed in his hands.
The hooded man stood straight up in front of the ninjas.
"I apologize for the way I ran off before," A masculine voice echoed within the hood, "Really, it was so… rude and I don't want to consider myself an inconsiderate person but enough of that. I'm afraid I haven't properly introduced myself."
"So quick?" Alex whispered under her breath but Akira jabbed her arm to keep her mouth shut.
The man finally threw back his hood and now the world new who he truly was.
The Overlord's third agent was Karl, who used to be Luna's producer but Amy and Melody were too young to remember.
Unlike Ronin and Jacob, his looks went relatively unchanged since he went missing. Karl still had sky blue eyes and brown hair so dark it was almost black and maintained his tall muscular frame though it was nowhere near as buff as Cole or Kai's.
"What do you want with us!?" Kyle asked but the villainous man ignored him.
"Hmmm…" Karl walked around the group, eyeing two kunoichi in particular, "You're definitely your mother's daughters. Only former idol Luna Charbonneau can ever possess such beauty…"
The Charbonneau sisters felt VERY uncomfortable with this evil stranger ogling them.
But most importantly, Karl seemed to have known their mother.
Why else would he mention her?
"H-how do you know our mom…?" Melody kept a firm grip on the Whip of Oceans behind her.
Karl furrowed his thin brows thinking about their father; the man Luna was stuck with.
"It saddens me that your parents haven't told you," The blonde man sighed sadly though it was painfully obvious it was fake, "Your mother was a perfect woman. She deserved so much more but destiny just had to trap her with that oaf you call your father. At least you didn't get much from that moronic brute."
Before the corrupted man can say more, two human-sized tornadoes, one the color of fresh soil and surrounded by swirling rocks and the other made entirely of water with a purple aura, spun and knocked him down. The twisters dispersed to reveal an outraged Amy and Melody.
"Don't you DARE insult our parents!" The sisters growled at Karl.
"NINJA-GO!"
The twisters made of earth and water were accompanied by eight more mini cyclones made up of other elements, ready to give this creep a beating of a lifetime. With the strange powers he acquired since joining the dark side, Karl evaded the elemental fury and blocked their attacks.
Karl silently cursed himself, having overestimated the brats. If he gets beaten up, the Overlord will more than likely inflict brutal punishment and he wanted to have his life intact by the time he and Luna meet again.
"I must leave," He said in a calm act, "My master is calling me."
"Freakin' coward…" Forrest cursed under his breath.
Karl just whispered a strange incantation and leapt overboard.
"WAIT!"
The group looked at the clouds below them but there was no sign of Karl.
"If this keeps going, we're gonna have a lot more on our plate…" Kyle muttered.
"Something tells me Mom and Dad won't be happy about this…" Melody said.
"That's because they won't." Misako said bluntly.
But they'll have to tell them anyway…
To say Cole and Luna were dismayed when they got news AGAIN, this time because someone they thought they'll never have to deal with again was back, was an understatement.
I knew it!" Luna cried, "I had a hunch but didn't want to believe it! Oh, I'm such a naïve fool!"
"Your daughters would've found out sooner or later," Misako said, "It isn't your fault. There is nothing to blame but fate."
"Dad, this Karl guy says he knows you," Amy said, "Is that true?"
"Yeah," Cole started, "You were too young to remember but Karl has a bit of history with your mother back when she was an idol. Because we were married, he always said I hindered Luna's career and constantly got in the way. At first, it seemed like he was one of those businessmen who cared only about profit but I noticed the way he looked at her, like he wanted her for more than just singing. It was like those lustful stares the Serpentine gave towards the kunoichi."
The former kunoichi felt uncomfortable thinking back to the way Skales leered at her and how similar it was to the way Karl looked at her.
It seems like these people the Overlord recruited have had some history with us or our families and have some resentment because of it," Cole started, "The Overlord probably recruited them at the premise of getting their own revenge. The offer would be something Karl wouldn't let up. Also, I think, no, realized that Karl was also the guy responsible for the truck incident."
"So it was Karl all this time…" Luna immediately pieced it all together in her head.
Karl obviously despised Cole even before he got fired. Of course he'd join the Overlord so they can get rid of him and if the true dark lord was feeling generous would let the former producer have the kunoichi of water all to himself.
"Oh no…" The former kunoichi of water buried her face in her hands in shame.
"Mom, what is it?"
"It's me Karl wants," Luna spoke, "The Overlord convinced these men to join him to get revenge on us and Karl joined him so he can take out your father and have me all to himself."
"Oh gosh…" The sisters had no idea what to say after their parents finished their tale.
Cole and Luna felt terrible for making their daughters worry twice but they tried looking on the bright side. At least they had some closure on Karl's disappearance.
"I should've known…" The German woman sighed, "Karl was always such a… dogmatic man…"
"Don't worry dear," Cole kissed his wife to comfort her, "If Karl ever comes here, I'll make him regret it."
"Liebling, you don't have to do all this because of me."
"That's not gonna stop me. I'll do anything for you and our daughters." Again, the former ninja lavished his wife's face with ticklish kisses.
"Dad, we can still see you." Melody reminded her parents of the ninjas that can apparently see all the lovey-dovey action.
"My daughters, will you be alright out there?" Luna asked.
"Don't worry Mom. We can handle it." Amy replied.
Remembering what Garmadon told them about fretting over their children, the couple decided to trust their daughters and let them make their own experiences. After giving some quick but heartfelt goodbyes, the ninja couple finally put all their faith in their daughters.
Now that it was just them in the main hall of the Bounty, Alex decided now was the time to tell Liana of her brother's true colors but it won't be without guilt on her part…
"Liana, there's something very important I have to tell you." She started, getting the kunoichi of ice's attention.
"Yes? What is it?" Liana asked.
"I'm sorry to tell you this but… Akira isn't exactly what you think he is…"
"Mitä…?" The white kunoichi was confused.
"It's not his personality, it's the way he… might see you…"
"See me…?" The pale girl's heart already started to break. Too many times has she been seen in a way she didn't want to.
What if Akira had done the same?
"I'm only doing this because it's either this way or the other way."
"What other way? What are you talking about?"
"You might be developing feelings for my brother but the same can't be said for him. I-I'm not trying to create a rift between you two but I just think you should know this before any feelings you have develop any further."
"You see, Akira tends to… flirt a lot…"
"Your point is…?" Liana raised a pale eyebrow in question.
The ice wielder was privy to the ninjas' flirtatious ways. Even Forrest has done it before and she always dismissed it as everyday 'guy' behavior. Meanwhile, Alex had a hard time breaking it to her. She had a strong hunch that she may not take it well but the kunoichi of wind told herself that this was for the greater good.
"Akira may not be completely honest with what he said to you." She finally said.
"I'm not trying to demonize him or anyone. What I'm saying is that it's better for you to remain cautious of him. It's possible he only said those things to lead you on. He's done it many times before and some girls were crushed because he put their hopes too high. As a fellow kunoichi, I don't want the same thing to happen to you. You've said you want to be accepted for who you are and for not sharing the same interests as other girls and Akira needs to realize that."
Liana's grayish blue eyes were wide with shock and her mouth hung slightly open but unable to form any words. A single tear ran down her porcelain face before her expression hardened into one of quiet rage. She wordlessly turned around and walked off, most likely to find Akira.
"Liana wait!" The kunoichi of wind tried to halt her, "This doesn't mean he'll always see you like that! People can change! Just give him some time! Liana!"
Before Alex can stop her, Liana made a beeline to the living room where she last saw Akira…
Since there was nothing on TV, Akira thought he might as well take his turn to make dinner for the team tonight. He opened the door and was surprised by the person blocking his way.
"Liana…!" The fire ninja wouldn't have minded seeing her if not for her expression. Her slender face had a slight blush but not the kind when they were alone. They were more like those when someone tries to conceal their anger…
"Akira…" Liana's voice shook, as if she was holding back tears.
"What is it…?" The fire ninja asked, feeling tense.
"What Alex said about you… Is that all true…?" Liana asked.
The olive-skinned man's heart skipped a beat in dread.
"What did she tell you?" Akira remembered that his sister was suspicious of his true opinions of the ice wielder and…
'Did she actually tell her…?'
"W-what did she say to you…?" The olive-skinned ninja asked.
"You're nothing but a player. You've been fooling me into thinking you've accepted me for who I am but you didn't. You see me as nothing more than a pretty princess with ice powers. You've done nothing but toy with my emotions."
"N-no…! You're more than that! You- !"
"Don't speak of me that way!" Liana cut him off, her velvety voice becoming deep with anger, "You've never seen me for who I truly am! I'm just another pretty face for you to fool!"
"That's not true! I- "
"You're just like all those guys back home! All you see are just my looks and powers! I should've known better than to think I've finally found a kindred spirit!"
The white kunoichi bolted down the hall but the fire wielder was quick to follow.
Akira felt an intense pain like nothing he ever felt before deep in his chest when he heard Liana say such things about him but he still chased her onto the deck.
"Liana! Come back!" Akira grabbed her arm but when the white kunoichi turned to stare at him, sending terrible chills up his spine, befitting her element and what's to come…
"DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Never before had anyone besides Liana's family hear her voice so full of rage. At the same time, sharp icicles materialized between her and Akira, nearly impaling the latter. The stalagmite-like ice managed to rip tiny holes in his red uniform and break his skin, making tiny pinpoints of red for his blood to leak out. The frozen spikes were cold but did nothing to ease the stings.
This was the first time any of the ninja and kunoichi use their powers to intentionally attack one of their own.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE!?"
Before Akira can say anything, Liana continued to verbally chew him out.
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE LEFT OUT!? NO MATTER WHAT I DO, NOBODY ACCEPTS ME! I TRY FITTING IN BUT I JUST CAN'T! NO ONE WILL EVER ACCEPT ME!"
"Well I can! We all can if only you can just let us- "
"NO!"
The other ninjas can hear their arguments and followed their yelling up onto the deck and were shocked to see a bunch of icicles sprouting from the ground as if to attack Akira.
"Liana…!" Misako was also shocked to see the normally cool-tempered girl lashing out.
"Liana! Snap out of it!" Forrest reached out to his sister but she sent another stream of icicles at him similar to Akira.
"FOR ONCE I THOUGHT I CAN BELONG BUT NO! I'M JUST ANOTHER FREAK!"
"What!?" Melody was flabbergasted, "You're NOT a freak!"
"Liana, listen to us!" Misako tried being the rational guide, "You're not the only one. We are all unique but not everyone will accept you- !"
"I DON'T CARE!"
The kunoichi of ice summoned a vicious snowstorm that consumed the Bounty. The winds were bitterly cold and the snow kept blowing, giving everyone else a hard time trying to see her.
"ALL YOU DO IS JUDGE ME AND WANT ME TO BE SOMETHING I'M NOT AND WHEN I TRY BEING MYSELF, ALL YOU DO IS CALL ME NAMES AND SEE ME JUST FOR MY ICE POWERS! I TRY BUT NO ONE EVER ACCEPTS ME! EVERYONE WANTS ME TO BE SOMETHING I'LL NEVER BE BUT I CAN'T! AND WHENEVER I TRY BEING ME, EVERYONE CALLS ME OUT! NOBODY WILL EVER ACCEPT ME!"
The snowstorm finally died down but the white kunoichi didn't plan on rejoining the group.
Liana no longer cared about the other ninja and kunoichi. All she knew was that she wanted to leave. She wanted to go somewhere where no one knows her so she won't be ostracized. She made a dash for the edge of the deck and stood right on top of the railing, much to the horror of her brother and everyone else.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?" Forrest shouted at his older sister.
The kunoichi of ice only gave a blank stare at her brother but the nature ninja can see hints of sadness in her grayish blue eyes.
"Liana, you better not do what I think you're about to do!" The plant wielder exclaimed.
"I can't stay here. Not as long as he's around."
Again, the excruciating emotional pain struck the fire ninja's heart, knowing the white kunoichi was referring to him.
"Liana! Stop this! You're overreacting!" Forrest also tried to talk some sense into his sister but she'll have none of it.
"Liana! Please don't do this!" Alex pleaded, even if she knew this was her own fault.
Liana turned around to glare at Akira, her pale eyes colder than the ice she controlled, making the fire ninja's blood run cold. She didn't have to say anything for her steely eyes said it all.
Much to everyone's horror, she stepped off the railing and into the clouds below.
"NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Akira and Forrest ran to the edge of the railing but Liana already summoned Shard. The dragon immediately flew towards the horizon, its mistress refusing to give even one backwards glance at the Bounty until she was out of sight.
"LIANA!" The teal ninja shouted for his sister but got no response other than his echo.
Much earlier than the ninja and kunoichi would've liked, the team was divided.
Only 1 word can describe how I'm feeling right now…
WOW.
I don't think I've ever written anything so dramatic before.
Before anyone says it, I'm not trying to make Liana like Elsa. I was inspired by Steven Universe for Liana's breakdown. Seriously, watch it. It's fantastic.
… I know this may be a very inappropriate time but… last call to vote on my poll! It's gonna end on Friday so if you want to vote, make sure you do!
Now that's done with, please review!