Children of Destiny
Hey guys! The fandom's had quite an eventful week with all these new episodes as I'd like to call, 'Ninja-Bomb'! Anyway, here's the next chapter that was foreshadowed in the previous one & an original couple will rejoin the ninjas! Enjoy!
Chapter 26: Just Like Old Times
The Walker brothers were busy at the bridge, analyzing the team's progress. So far, Melody and the Julien siblings have unlocked their true potential. They wondered what was holding THEM back from finding theirs.
"I'm not sure what else I need to get over," Kyle started, "I already got over my anxiety over the idea of being judged for just one aspect of myself. What about you?"
"I don't know either," The brother of metal sighed, "No one can just point a mirror at us or for us to realize our problems in an instant. There's no easy way of doing this. That's probably why the scrolls keep saying there will be many trials before we find out true potential."
Outside the Bounty, the Julien siblings explored the beach and the nearby jungle for clues.
"I swear there's something here…" Forrest used his staff to command the thick foliage to move so he and his sister have a clear path to tread.
"The Overlord could've been leading us on… again…" Liana added, whispering the last word in a low voice, "But I believe this is it. Haukka always know when something's up…"
The siblings of spring and winter trudged through the thicket to find the possible location of the Overlord's hideout. They searched high and low and even inspected certain spots not once, not twice, but THREE times yet they couldn't find anything. After doing more than enough snooping to make Sherlock Holmes proud, they would've called it a day when they heard something.
"Hang on," Liana held her brother's arm to keep him from leaving, "I think we found it…"
The Julien siblings crept closer to the source of the sound and finally saw what appeared to be an entrance to a subterranean den. They carefully crept towards the mouth of the hole and can hear faint whispers.
"Soon she will be all mine…" They can just barely hear someone talking within the cave.
"But we have to keep making more…" Another echoed.
"Should we attack now?" The teal ninja gripped the Forest Staff.
"It's too dangerous," The sister of nature shushed him, "We still don't have a clear strategy but keep listening…"
The siblings leaned in to get a clear sound…
In the Overlord's lair, another Serpentine was revived and he will play a crucial role in his plan to get the original ninjas out of the way.
"It'ssss sssso nisssssse to have an actual body again." The two heads of Fangtom hissed, saying one word back and forth.
"What about usssss…?" A disembodied voice asked from within the shadows. It grew more and more jealous seeing its allies return to life while
"When the time is right, you will have your chance to strike." The Overlord answered coolly.
"No…" The Overlord halted him, "I can sense something dark… Something amongst those that the ninjas hold dear…"
"What is it?" Ronin asked.
"Go back to Ninjago City," The dark lord commanded, "The one you must find will be there…"
"I have this feeling we're not the only ones here…" Clouse grumbled.
'Crap!'
The Julien siblings scrambled to get away as far as they can but hid amongst the treetops to see Ronin and Karl walk out of the entrance. After muttering an arcane incantation, a familiar cloud of dark smoke materialized around the humans and obscured them from the ninjas' sight. Once the smog finally dispersed, they were gone.
"This is bad," Forrest gritted his teeth, "We found their hideout but they're not letting up."
"Not if we can help it…"
Liana hopped off the tree, followed by her brother, and the two scurried back to the Bounty…
Sayuri stared out the window, bored out of her mind. All of her friends were either busy or out of town and her parents were hard at work coming up with the latest line of P.I.X.A.L.'s and had only her grandparents to keep her company.
If only she can join her brothers and the other ninjas on their adventures…
"Sayuri, sweetie," Edna knocked on her door, "Why don't you come out? It's such a lovely day and your grandfather and I wouldn't want you to miss out."
"But there's nothing to do!" The little girl complained.
"That's what you think," Ed chuckled, "You can even make a boring day fun."
"How?"
Before the doting grandfather can answer, loud knocks echoed from the door. Knowing better than to allow strangers in the house, the old Walker couple stayed silent. Unfortunately, rather than leave, the stranger busted down the door, startling even Sayuri. Ed and Edna can hear the sound of large furniture being overturned and even a couple of windows break but they wanted to protect Sayuri more than they wanted to confront the trespassers.
"What's happening?" Sayuri opened her door by a little crack with one hazel eye peeking out.
"Sayuri," Ed whispered to his granddaughter, "Stay in your room and no matter what, do NOT come out."
The little girl didn't understand what was going on but had no choice but to do as she was told.
Ed and Edna stood before her door, refusing to back down even as the stomping footsteps got louder and closed in on them. Finally, the saw the trespasser, who turned out to be TWO men wearing dark cloaks with the Overlord's symbol on their belts.
"What do you want?" Ed tried to look threatening but the men just laughed at his lame attempt to scare them off.
"We're just here to see a certain someone." The man with long black hair answered.
Before the couple can ask who they want, the other man with dark brown hair moved towards them faster than any ordinary human. He pinched the nerves on the back of their necks, making them pass out before they knew it.
"Too easy." The Meerheim native sneered at the unconscious geezers.
"Of course," Ronin callously kicked Edna's body out of the way, "They're old geezers."
Now that they were out of the way, this mission was going to be a breeze…
Nya grew concerned when the in-laws never called her nor their son. Whenever they were put in charge of their kids, they ALWAYS called at least five times to tell them they were okay or to just chat but they didn't call at all. Not even once.
Something was terribly wrong…
The moment her shift was over, the former kunoichi sped back to her home. The moment she stepped into her home, she barely held back a scream of terror at the mess of a living room and the unconscious bodies of the parents of lightning sprawled out on the floor.
"Ed! Edna!" Nya gently shook the elderly couple awake.
"Huh… what…?" Ed slowly came to but was still discombobulated while Edna's memories came back quicker.
"Those bad guys," Edna struggled to get up, "They said there was someone here they wanted."
"Edna, don't push yourself," Her daughter-in-law held her close to the ground, "You're still too weak to get up but can you tell me what happened?"
"Some guys broke in here and said they were looking for someone." The old woman managed to say before groaning in pain.
'Who were they even looking for…?' It didn't take long for the Japanese woman to conclude the worst case scenario.
Nya made a dash for Sayuri's room but the door was already broken down. Much to her horror, her room was a complete wreck even worse than the rest of the house! But the worst thing was that there was no sign of Sayuri!
"SAYURI!"
The devastated mother turned over every object in the room and repeatedly called out for her daughter but never got a response. As she repeated her daughter's name, her voice started to choke up with tears. Sayuri was gone and the bereft mother broke down in tears.
"We're so sorry," Ed let out a deep sigh, "If only we were able to fend them off…"
"It's not your fault," His daughter-in-law consoled him, "You weren't meant to fight…"
The old couple felt terrible failing to defend their granddaughter but nothing can be done about the past. Besides, their biggest issue now was figuring out how to break it to their son…
"Jay will NOT be taking this very well…" Nya sighed through her tears.
The former ninja arrived just in time to jinx it.
"What the hell happened here!?" The blue-eyed man was shocked at the mess of a home that greeted him.
"Jay!" Ed and Edna greeted their son but still didn't know how to tell him that his daughter was kidnapped by the Overlord's forces.
"Mom! Dad! What happened!?" The former ninja immediately grew concerned at his parents' disheveled looks.
"Jay! Sayuri's gone!" Nya cried out.
"WHAT!?"
The Scandinavian man made a beeline for his daughter's room where his greatest fear became part of cold reality. Jay felt his blood run cold and his consciousness slip away in an instant. The grown man fainted with a loud thud on the carpeted floor.
Chris can't get rid of this feeling that something terrible was going to happen. He wasn't one to believe in such superstitious things but he just can't get rid of this feeling…
Was it because he hasn't found his true potential?
Was there something deep inside him that was keeping him from finding it?
If so, then what is it?
"Chris." A hand grasped his shoulder but the lightning ninja shrieked and leapt at least ten feet into the air before calming down.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT!?" The raven-haired ninja yelled indignantly.
"Geez Chris, I was just trying to get your attention." Willow huffed.
"Well it worked!" The eldest ninja complained like a bratty child.
"Come on," The young kunoichi beckoned him, "Liana and Forrest have some big news."
"We just discovered the Overlord's lair but they're now up to something," Forrest started, "We don't know if we should strike now. It's tempting to just go in there but we're not sure what to do. They could have something else up their sleeves."
"I know it's important to not put off tomorrow what can be done today but this is one of those situations where we'll have to come up with a plan." Misako answered.
Chris opened his mouth to say something but before he can even get one word out, the alarm used for emergencies rang. The dispatchers' faces popped up on the scream in the bridge once everyone gathered.
"Mom!? Dad!?" The Walker sons were shocked to see their parents on the screen.
"Chris! Kyle! This is an emergency!" Jay shouted.
"What happened!?" Chris wanted to get straight to the point.
"It's Sayuri!"
"What happened to her!?" Kyle asked.
"Sayuri…! She was kidnapped!"
The Walker brothers felt so many emotions at once but the strongest was anger.
"Who did this!?" Chris howled, "Who took her!?"
"Your grandparents were the last people with her but they also saw two men wearing robes like the Overlord's henchmen, saying they were looking for someone," Nya answered, "Since Sayuri was the only other person around, it's obvious they wanted her."
"But why would they want her!?" Kyle asked, "What is it about her that they want!?"
"I don't know but I don't care!" Jay slammed his fist on the table in his home, "All that matters is rescuing her!"
"We're actually close to the Overlord's base," Misako said, "Your daughter won't be too far. I'm sure your sons will be able to save her."
"They won't be doing it alone." Nya suddenly said.
"What…?" Her sons were bewildered by her determination.
"We're coming with you," Jay vowed, "We may not have been able to protect our daughter but dammit, we'll be there to rescue here. So where are you?"
"We're at the very eastern end of the mainland," Misako said, "But not too far is the Overlord's base of operations. You must be careful on your journey."
"Of course."
"We'll await your arrival."
Even after the communication ended, things were still tense in the bridge.
"I can't believe the Overlord would stoop so low!" Kyle clenched his fists.
"There's nothing we can do about what's already happened," Misako said, "In the meantime, you must keep investigating the hideout until your parents arrive."
"Understood..."
Before leaving on their quest, the Walker couple visited Kai, who volunteered to construct their weapons since their original ones were in possession of their sons.
"Can't believe they would do this," Kai grumbled while hammering down a dagger for his sister, "No surprise since it's the Overlord…"
"Yeah, yeah," Jay dismissed his brother-in-law, "Are they done yet?"
"Almost…"
The former fire ninja dipped the hot metal into the basin and pulled out a fine dagger.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kai asked his sister and her husband, "Your powers might not be what they used to be."
"Don't worry. We still got it." Nya tested out her metal powers on one of her brother's rejected blades and the steel bent under her will, proving her powers were still intact.
"But no matter how old we'll get, you're still my little sister," The ninja blacksmith stared right into his sibling's hazel eyes, "I care about you."
"Me too." The former kunoichi shared a heartfelt smile with her brother.
"And Jay…" Kai turned to his brother-in-law.
It was funny how much his opinions of his sister's lover has changed. He used to think the blue ninja was just a yappy talentless nobody who was nowhere near Nya's level but he proved to be far from it. Ever since they got together, only Jay could make his sister happier than he has ever seen her before and he can't deny that they were meant to be. He knew they'll be able to save their daughter.
"Good luck." Kai patted Jay's shoulder.
The Walker couple gave the former fire ninja their gratitude and left on their dragons…
The Walker brothers were still going through a ton of emotional stress knowing that their little sister wasn't may not be too far from where they are but at the same time, they can't just go in and save her alone. They knew the Overlord was a conniving creep and is possibly expecting the protective brothers to barge into his lair.
Chris felt that he was a failure of a brother.
While he was busy trying to unlock his true potential, he left his defenseless sister behind. If he stayed behind, maybe none of this would've happened in the first place.
"Chris, are you thinking about Sayuri?" Kyle asked.
The metal wielder didn't need an answer to know what his brother was thinking.
"I feel the same," He sighed, "How can we be ninjas if we can't even keep our sister safe?"
"Enough already!" The lightning ninja suddenly slammed his fist against the railing but he didn't seem to target his younger brother.
"Chris…!" Alex was astonished by her cousin's outburst.
The eldest ninja was very harsh at times but he was never a short-tempered type.
"G-gomen…" Chris sighed, "I just can't control myself…"
"This anger you feel is normal but you shouldn't take it out this way." Misako sternly said, "I too would be outraged if anything happened to those I care about but anger won't solve anything."
"I know…"
"We can only wait until your parents arrive. Then we can discuss our next move."
"But waiting for them is the hardest thing to do," Kyle said, "Especially when there's nothing to do about this situation…"
"I think that's them." Amy pointed at two flying shapes just over the horizon.
Wisp and Star flew close to the water to avoid being seen. Riding atop them were Jay and Nya, who both wore a simple gi in their signature colors and hoods that covered every part of their heads save for their eyes. They haven't forgotten the way of the ninja and journeyed as quietly as they can.
"Mom! Dad!"
Chris and Kyle embraced their parents once they got onto the deck.
"I missed you so much!" Nya took off her hood to kiss their cheeks, which embarrassed them.
"Auntie Nya!" Alex too was elated to see her aunt again.
"It's so nice to see you again." The former kunoichi also embraced her niece.
"Aren't you forgetting about someone?" Jay pouted like a child despite being middle-aged.
"We haven't forgotten you, Dad." Kyle chuckled at his father's expression.
Although the reunion was bittersweet with one member of the family being taken, it was nice for the original couple to just be with their children after such a long time apart.
The former ninja and kunoichi inspected the Bounty. Jay was quite proud that this ship built by his own hands has served his children and the team well. It also reminded him of his days as a ninja fighting bad guys and defending Ninjago.
"It's been a long time since we've had an adventure," Jay sighed nostalgically, "This really takes me back. I remember when I was a ninja, fighting bad guys, spending time with my brothers…"
"Jay, we're not here to relive old memories," Nya reminded her husband, "We must find Sayuri, who might be here now."
"I know…" The grown man's jovial face turned solemn knowing why he was here.
Chris and Kyle can tell their parents were still uneasy over these recent events. They too were upset with what happened to their sister but there was no use moping around.
"Don't worry," Akira tried to console them, "I'm sure Sayuri's a strong girl deep down. We'll all help you find her."
"I hope so…" Nya was grateful for her nephew's encouragement.
"Did you make any progress since we last met?" Jay asked out of curiosity.
"We haven't unlocked our full potential yet," Kyle shook his head, "But that doesn't matter for the moment. We need to find Sayuri."
"You said the Overlord's base is not far from here," Nya started, "Where is it?"
"We know the way," Liana offered, "Forrest and I found the Overlord's den within the jungle."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Jay got up, "Let's go!"
"But Jay, we still need to plan out a strategy." His wife reminded him.
"I'm sure you remember that the Overlord is not without cunning," Misako added, "He already knows that we'll be coming for Sayuri and we can't just give him what he wants."
The former ninja grinded his teeth in frustration. He hated to admit it but the wise woman was right as usual yet he can't just stand here and let the epitome of all evil do who knows what to his little girl.
"What we can do is sneak up to his base of operations and find out what he wants with her."
"And just let him do so!?" It still took a lot for Jay to NOT yell, "We can't let them get away!"
"Then what are you waiting for?" Chris was already descending from the Bounty, "Let's go!"
Jay and Nya accompanied the new generation as they made their way through the jungle, using the same route Liana and Forrest took until they caught sight of the small den.
"So that's where he's been the whole time…" Jay whispered.
"Don't get too confident," The former kunoichi kept her husband from getting too far ahead of himself, "The Overlord might be expecting us to come rescue her."
"But what he doesn't know is that we found him…" Akira whispered.
The ninjas can feel the heat radiating from the Sword of Fire and had to shush him to keep his notoriously hot temper under control.
"Do you have her?"
With their trained ears, Jay and Nya can recognize the harsh voice of the Overlord.
"Yes," A masculine voice responded, "It was too easy. We barely even had to lift a muscle."
Jay was tempted to just go in there and fry the Overlord and every last one of his goons but he knew better than to rush into a serious situation.
Inside the lair, Ronin and Karl help up Sayuri like a rejected hunk of meat. She was too scared to do anything but look around the lair. Three more men wearing robes lurked in the cave and in the back, she could see metallic endoskeletons that were most likely for the nindroid army she heard about recently. On the other corner of the cave, she saw three silhouettes hidden in the shadows but she can tell they were Serpentine with the elongated necks and what appeared to be long tails in place of legs.
"Well done…" The Overlord's voice echoed from the glowing orb that was his weakened body.
Ronin and Karl shoved the girl forward. Sayuri was too frightened to even guess what the true lord of all evil might do to her.
"I can feel it," The dark lord circled the frightened girl, "I can sense it deep within you…"
"W-what do you want…?" Sayuri quivered in fear.
The seemingly insignificant orb floated around her, as if peering deep into her soul. Sayuri knew all about the Overlord from her parents' stories. She felt completely helpless with no elemental powers or anyone coming to save her.
But Pythor sensed something was not right. He can smell it…
"Pardon me, but I really don't want to ruin such a crucial moment but…" He started.
"What now?" The Overlord interrupted impatiently.
"We're being watched…" The tall Anacondrai can practically smell a human stench that wasn't coming from the Overlord's human cohorts.
It was coming from outside the lair.
"Shall we get rid of them?" Skales asked.
"No…" The Overlord answered, "This is exactly what I want…"
The small orb chuckled maliciously and the snakes were wondering if logic finally escaped from the dark lord's grasp but the sooner they get if these intruders, the better.
While the Overlord continued leering at his new prisoner, the snakes snuck out to 'greet' these unwelcome guests…
Outside the den, the ninja and kunoichi were still listening and trying to decipher whatever they can make out from the vague echoes.
"They're just outside the den." They can barely hear someone talk inside the cave.
'They found us!'
Since it was no use hiding anymore, the ninja and kunoichi went into battle mode.
"NINJA-GO!"
A bunch of human-sized twisters spun before the Serpentine. Jay recognized Fangtom and can feel his internal temperature rise. He still hasn't forgotten the vampire-like snake's attempt to take Nya away from him. He sent a crackling bolt of lightning at the two-headed serpent. Both heads screamed at the familiar agony coursing through their body. Just like before, the human wouldn't let up until the Fangpyre finally caved in.
"Where is she!?" Jay snarled at Fangtom. Each hand tightened around each of the red snake's throats and he only squeezed harder.
"L-like I'll ever tell you...!" The red snake hissed but Jay only squeezed harder.
If there was one way he was leaving, it was with his daughter alive...
Deep in the cave, Sayuri, the Overlord, and his minions can hear the fighting going on outside.
"Those fools never knew when to back down." The dark lord was disappointed but this is what he planned all along so why complain?
The new generation along with Jay and Nya barged into the lair with the weakened Serpentine held as pseudo hostages.
"What are you doing!?"
The orb that was all that remained of the dark lord's body glowed with rage at the Serpentine's apparent disobedience. Skales and Fangtom bowed with their heads on the ground, fearing the one true lord of all evil, but Pythor still tried to persuade the dark lord to finish off the humans.
"If I may speak…"
"You've said more than enough." The true master of evil halted the Anacondrai.
Knowing what the Overlord was capable of, Pythor reluctantly held his forked tongue.
The Walker couple found their daughter hidden in the shadows of the cave.
"Sayuri!"
They tried to approach their daughter but Cryptor swooped in between them with his glowing optic targeting them.
"One more step and all enemy forces will be annihilated." The evil nindroid droned.
"I see you have come for your precious little lily," The Overlord now circled the ninjas, "But you really have no idea, do you?"
"Cut the crap, Overlord!" Kyle growled at the epitome of all evil, "Give Sayuri back or else!"
It started off as a few quiet chuckles but it soon devolved into complete maniacal laughter. The Overlord cackled over these humans' naïveté. Some things just never change.
"What's so funny!?" Jay was already riled up.
It's one thing for that creep to kidnap his daughter but did he have to mock them!?
The Overlord suddenly whispered several arcane words and the same mist that always whisked away his cohorts started to form in the lair except that it wasn't cloaking his minions.
It was engulfing the ninjas.
They tried to run but their feet felt glued to the ground and their bodies felt heavier than usual. The clouds were not only taking them away but were also barring them from escape.
"Nya!" Jay saw his wife struggling to move, "Get out of there and save Sayuri!"
"I-I can't…!" No matter how determined she was, not even the kunoichi of metal can break free from the dark spell.
"Sayuri!" Chris and Kyle called out to their little sister who can do little else but stare.
The last thing they saw was their sister's face before the dark clouds completely engulfed them. The captive only watched as her family and their comrades disappeared in the black fog. Once the clouds have dispersed, they were gone as if they never came in the first place.
"Where did they go…?" Sayuri asked.
"Far, far away…" The Overlord answered ominously, "There's no way they'll find you now…"
With the ninjas out of the way and taking what was most precious to them, it seemed like the Overlord has finally won…
Or has he…?
There's a pretty big secret in his plan but I won't reveal until the chapter after the next one! We'll explore a bit more on the Walker siblings' relationship & perhaps they'll unlock their true potential! Also, I have my own opinions about the new season but I don't want this note to take forever so I may be updating my vent soon. Also, writing the last chapter of the Ice Prince is challenging for me so I'm sorry if it's late but I'll try to get it up next week.
For now, review!