Within Destiny
Hi guys! I'm REALLY sorry if this chapter's slow but there's going to be more hints of what's to come in the next couple of chapters! Plus, we'll see more of the original ninjas here! I hope you can bear with me one more time & give this chapter a try.
Chapter 36: The Gathering
With keen eyes, Misako watched the ninja and kunoichi try out their newly unlocked powers in today's training session. They took less time to summon their elements and she can practically feel their strength from the auras that surrounded them whenever they went on true potential mode. It was amazing how much they've changed from playful children into successors of their parents' role as Ninjago's protectors.
The final battle won't be for another while but the scholar had a feeling that something big will happen soon…
Perhaps a little TOO soon for her liking…
"Sensei, is something wrong?" Melody was quick to notice her teacher's somber face.
"I've been thinking…" Misako dismissed the purple kunoichi but if there was one thing she got from her father, it was stubbornness.
"Are you sure? You're not hiding anything from us, are you?" The aqua-eyed girl insisted.
Never really liking to hide the truth, the bespectacled woman sighed in defeat.
"I didn't wish to bring your hopes down but I have this feeling in my heart that something very grim will happen and with your progress now, you may not be up for it."
The purple kunoichi was slightly taken aback by Misako's omen but she wasn't going to let that break her spirit.
"We may have improved powers now but that doesn't mean we've stagnated," The kunoichi of water vowed, "Our journey isn't over so we can only look forward."
"It takes a lot of strength to remain optimistic. Melody, you really are strong in your own way." The wise old woman shook her head but here words were sincere. It really took much courage to believe that something good will come out of something even in a bad situation.
"What are you two talking about?" Amy noticed her sister conversing with their teacher.
"We were just talking about what the future may have in store for you." Misako answered.
"What do you think will happen?" The black kunoichi asked again.
"That is something you will decide for yourself. Only you have control over your decisions." The old scholar replied cryptically.
"And with the final battle drawing closer, the fate of Ninjago rests on our shoulders…" Melody added, "…That's why we mustn't give up."
"Agreed." The sister of water nodded.
The Charbonneau sisters knew they can't quit now, not when they worked so hard to get their true potential and even standing here at all.
No one said being a ninja was ever easy…
The alarms built into the Bounty's computer but there didn't seem to be a problem.
"What the hell is happening!?" Forrest was bewildered by the sudden bugs. The screens were messed up with static and the ninjas can barely hear the AI's voice.
"Unknown presence detected within the systems." The voice buzzed.
"Within!? The computer's being hacked but by who!?" Kyle exclaimed.
"Danger… Danger…" The AI repeated, "Unknown presence detected within the systems…"
"What does it mean…?" Akira was disturbed at the computer's sudden malfunctions.
"I'm trying to find out what's wrong but nothing's coming up!" Liana frantically worked on the machinery but her efforts were fruitless.
It was as if someone or something got to it and was messing with it from within…
"…Unknown… pres… system…" The feminine voice became more garbled until it was consumed in the white noise blaring through the speakers.
"What's going on!?" Chris also tried fixing the computer but nothing seemed to work.
Much to the ninjas' surprise, malicious chuckles can be heard within the white noise.
"How dull…" Skales' voice echoed in the speakers, disturbing the ninja and kunoichi.
"How did you…!?"
"You naïve brats actually think you have what it takes to defeat us!?" Jacob's voice boasted.
"You!" Alex instinctively got ready for battle even though it was only Jacob's voice that invaded the Bounty.
"How the hell did you hack into the system!?" Kyle demanded answers.
"The time of vengeance is now." The monotonous voice of Cryptor echoed.
Unseen by everyone, Liana clenched her fist just hearing the voice of her father's evil clone.
"That doesn't answer our question!" Forrest barked back.
"I am made with technology far more superior from your traitor of a father."
"Do NOT insult my father!" Liana finally let her temper explode, much to everyone's shock.
"You upstarts were all caught up in your hubris that you forgot that we don't stagnate," Ronin's voice joined in, "The hour of vengeance is near and nothing will stop us."
"Not unless we come over there and kick your ass!" Leon cracked his faintly glowing knuckles.
"What are you gonna do about it?" Clouse's voice bragged, "We know where you are and you don't know where we are."
"Oh yeah!?" Leon stepped closer, not caring that only the enemies' voices were there until his teacher stopped him.
"Leon, there's nothing we can do… not now." Misako held the green ninja back.
"But- "
"Don't let them get to you. This is exactly what they want."
The fair-haired ninja was at a loss on what to say or do. The villains were taunting him and their words were getting to him but reacting will prove them to be stronger. As much as he hated to admit it, there was nothing he can do about it.
"Oh, Misako. You're just as shrewd as ever. Too bad you decided to stay at the monastery. We could've used someone like you." Now Ronin was also trying to provoke Misako.
"I'm fine right here, thank you very much." The bespectacled woman coldly retorted.
"Why? If you join me, you'll have what your so-called friend Haruka took away from you!"
"You leave Haruka out of this! We chose our own paths in life and nothing will convince me to join the forces of evil!"
"Your loss." Misako can practically see that sadistic smirk on Ronin's face.
"What do you want with us!?" Willow demanded.
"Don't get mad," Pythor's voice cooed, "We only wanted to catch up."
"And why do we not believe you?" Forrest asked dryly.
"Maybe you aren't as naïve as you seem…"
The ninja and kunoichi remained silent at Skales' taunts. Responding will only spur them on.
"It's been such a lovely talk but we must go. Don't worry, we'll see you soon… very soon…"
The voices soon faded until the room was filled with white noise before Chris finally shut down the busted computer.
"That was so disturbing…" Willow quivered.
"What about our parents? Some of the Overlord's goons are after them!" Alex exclaimed.
"Your parents are getting older but they haven't forgotten what they learned. You need to have faith in one another."
"Kyle, how are the systems?" Liana asked the metal ninja.
"Shit! Looks like the computer's systems have been ruined!" Kyle gritted his teeth, "Looks like we'll have to fly this ship manually until we can get it fixed IF it can be fixed at all!"
"Do you know where we are now?" Akira asked.
"We're at the western border of the Sea of Sand so we'll just have to keep going west until we find the Overlord's hideout but it's gonna be easier said than done. Even the map's out."
"It's just a small price to pay compared to when we kick their sorry asses." Akira fumed.
"Don't get their words get to you," Liana warned him, "They wanted to provoke us even before the real battle has begun. We can't let them have this one."
The fire ninja knew the kunoichi of ice was right.
If he were to defeat the villains, he must not only be strong but also have his mind intact.
The ninjas hated to admit but even with their upgraded powers, there was nothing they can do. That is except go into the eye of the storm…
The Overlord was pleased with his servants' performance.
Using Cryptor as a medium, they managed to hack to their vessel's computers and mess up the systems, hindering them. The ninjas still didn't know that during their first visit to their hideout, the evil nindroid scanned the computers of their base and with the data he had, he was able to mess with its programs. Now that the ninjas fell over the obstacle set out before them, some of the Overlord's minions have been dispatched for the next part of their plan.
"What is your next command, Master?" Clouse asked through Cryptor.
"Get them." The Overlord gave his simple command.
His servants knew what he meant but they also can't rush or face their enemies head on. Only when the time is right that they shall strike…
Iris meditated under the willow tree of the monastery's garden, hoping to find solace after her and Lloyd's meeting with Sensei Wu. It was only a matter of time until her children will have to continue what she and her husband started but it was always hard to even imagine what might happen to them. No matter how much time passes, Leon and Willow will always be her babies. It still felt like yesterday when she bought even Leon into this world. She may be the kunoichi of time and space but the differences even a few minutes can make was pretty jarring to her.
"Iris, are you okay?" A voice reached out in front of her.
Violet eyes opened to meet pools of emerald.
"Lloyd…"
"You're weeping." The former hero of Ninjago wiped the damp tear trail from his spouse's face, which she didn't realize was there until now.
"I can't stop worrying about our children."
"I don't blame you. I'm also concerned for them but this is their destiny. Only they will decide if they'll make it or not. But knowing them, they probably will."
"Maybe I'm worrying too much…"
"I'm worried about them too but it's no use. Worrying won't make much of a difference."
The former kunoichi felt dismayed but Lloyd was right as much as she hated to admit it.
"Is there anything we can do?" She asked.
"Never give up," Lloyd told her, "Do you remember our motto? A ninja never quits."
"I guess you're right… Oh Lloyd… what would I do without you?" The Russian woman wrapped her arms around her husband.
"I should be asking you that. If it weren't for you, I would've…" The green ninja trailed off, not wanting to even consider what would've happened if Iris hadn't saved him from himself…
"That's in the past," The violet-eyed woman briefly kissed him, "And we have to future to look forward to. Hopefully our children and all of us will be there to see it."
"They will. I know it."
The couple shared another kiss before retreating back into the monastery.
But little did Lloyd and Iris know that they weren't alone. On the other side of the monastery's walls, a certain snake heard everything.
Pythor glared in the direction of his sworn enemy and exited his camouflage mode. The human couple's sentiments were enough to make him gag but he didn't say anything… for now.
'Try to keep her safe, Lloyd… because no matter what, I will make her mine…'
The Anacondrai slithered away, knowing that his time will come soon…
The sounds of chainsaws and axes filled the forests near Meerheim but all the noise was lost to one of the workers.
Cole felt tense ever since Luna told him of this feeling she had that something will happen and because of his time as a ninja, he wouldn't be too surprised if it did. Their little princesses were his pride and joy and he would do anything for them as he had promised when they were born.
'But what if I can't?'
The former ninja tried to shake such dark thoughts out of his mind. It wasn't like him to doubt his daughter's capabilities. They were growing up and as much as he hated to admit it, he must let them go at some point but letting go is never easy, especially for a parent with their child…
"Mr. Charbonneau, is something bothering you?" Cole's supervisor waved a large hand in front of him to get his attention.
"Désolé…" The earth wielder sighed before resuming his work as usual.
Work was soon over and the earth wielder was on his way home when he saw a familiar face, a face he thought he'd never see in Meerheim again.
'Karl!'
All other thoughts left Cole's mind as the former ninja ran in the turncoat's direction. He made sure not to lose him while squeezing his way through the crowds. Karl didn't seem to make that much of an effort to lose Cole as if he actually wanted the former ninja to find him.
"Karl!" The earth ninja howled in his chase. He was very tempted to use his earth powers but he can't do it here where the inhabitants will be at risk.
The Overlord's henchman kept running from Cole but the former ninja never lost sight of him. He still pursued him even after they were outside of Meerheim but that was Karl's mistake. Out here, Cole was now free to use his powers without endangering any innocent civilians.
"Earth!"
The former ninja slammed the palms of his hands onto the earth that broke under the weight. The quakes threw Karl off balance and once he fell on his back, Cole lunged at him and had his burly hands wrapped around his neck.
"What are you doing here!?" Cole snarled.
"Of course you wouldn't know!" Karl spat at him, "Not with that thick head of yours!"
"I may not be a genius but one thing I do know is that you're nothing but a filthy traitor!" Cole's hands tightened around the treacherous man's throat.
Karl's light blue eyes gave off an unnatural glow and Cole found himself flung several feet away from his enemy and now it was Karl who hovered over him.
"Who's the weak one now?" The corrupt man cruelly smirked down on the former ninja.
Karl may have gotten stronger thanks to the Overlord's strange powers but Cole still had the full power of the earth inside him. He summoned a portion of his elemental might and kicked Karl right where the sun doesn't shine. The Overlord's agent howled in agony and the earth wielder threw him off and they exchanged blows and they even resorted to biting and scratching like a couple of wolves fighting over a female.
Karl felt blood pooling in his mouth from that punch Cole gave him and Cole's scalp stung from the former producer yanking his thick midnight locks.
"Why don't you just give up already!?" The earth ninja howled.
Disturbingly, Karl let out a sadistic chuckle and Cole can tell this wasn't good…
"What's so funny!?" Cole barked.
"If you aren't as stupid as you say you are, then you shouldn't have left."
"What do you mean!?"
"If I'm not mistaken, the one who means most to you has no one to defend her."
It took only seconds for Cole to realize what Karl meant.
'Luna!'
Completely forgetting about Karl, Cole made a mad dash back to his house and was shocked to see it completely wrecked and he can hear Lorelei's angry barks.
"Luna!" The former ninja called out to his wife.
"Wasser!" Luna's echo came with a tidal wave that burst through the windows and in it were a few lesser thugs.
Once the tsunami died down, Cole ran inside and even the inside of the house was in ruins. The furniture were destroyed in his wife's fight with the goons and there were glass shards all over the floor making it impossible for him to walk without shoes.
"Luna! Where are you!?" He called out for his wife.
"Cole?" He heard her voice towards the back of the house.
"Luna, are you alright!?"
Luna had some cuts and bruises but nothing serious and Lorelei stood next to her with her fur standing on end. But some of the thugs marched back into the house, apparently not knowing when to give up.
"I can still fight…" The German woman clutched the gash in her arm but she utilized the healing properties of her element to seal the bloody cut.
'These guys are just suckers for punishment, aren't they?' Cole was annoyed by their relentless attempts to defeat them but he's not letting that happen.
The ninja couple summoned their elemental powers to drive back the minions and though they struggled, they managed to defeat them but the house was in ruins and even if it weren't, the Overlord's forces now know where they are and it was no longer safe here.
But what they were more concerned about were their daughters.
Luna tried to call the Bounty but the communication with the ninjas was cut off as if something happened to them and it made the water wielder very anxious.
"I don't know what's going on. I can't reach the Bounty and I can't even imagine what will befall our children…" The former kunoichi let out an agitated groan.
"We have to warn them!"
"But if we go to the Bounty, that will give the enemies one less target and that'll make it easier for them to get to us. We'll be serving ourselves on a silver platter."
"Looks like the Overlord learned a thing or two while he was gone…" Cole growled.
"What can we do? We can't contact Amy and Melody and it's not safe for us here."
"I don't want to sound weak but we have to get to the monastery. I know it'll be a huge risk to be gathered in one place but taking risks is part of everyday life."
"And what about our children?"
"They can take care of themselves. This is one of those times we can do nothing but leave our future in the hands of fate."
The couple gave a final forlorn look at their wrecked house before going to the monastery…
There was a huge difference between having the Bounty run on auto and having to control the ship itself and the ninjas learned that the hard way. Controlling the vessel wasn't difficult but it took a much longer time to get to the Dark Island. A couple of hours passed and they would've been there by now if the computer was working but they were still in the middle of the ocean.
During the lengthy journey, the ninja and kunoichi continued to hone their new powers.
"Ice!"
Liana's entire body glowed and the Bounty was surrounded by blustery frost and ice that began to smother the deck until most of the surface of the ship was frozen and it took only seconds.
Next, Kyle used just one swipe of the Steel Kunai to cut every equipment on the obstacle course in two. Amy noticed that when he was done, he and Melody gave each other a look. As long as they're taking their time to know each other, she bore nothing against them.
Now it was Willow's turn to fine-tune her archery. She was still a bit wobbly but she was a little better than last time. At least she didn't shake so much whenever she drew back the bow…
THWACK!
The arrow was very close to the center of the bullseye but not quite there. The kunoichi of time stamped her foot impatiently and despite her element, she needed to take her time.
"Stay focused," Misako guided her, "Don't let anything else distract you."
"But it's SO hard!" The youngest kunoichi whined.
"And whining won't do you any good," Chris went back to his 'tough love' routine, "Stop letting the outside world distract you from what you should do so stop complaining."
The pink kunoichi childishly stuck her tongue out at the eldest ninja but he just rolled his eyes.
(*) "Paska! This is taking forever!" Forrest complained over the lengthy journey.
"Patience." His always calm sister tried to ease his anxiety.
The teal ninja opened his mouth to talk back but his words were drowned out by a caw. Again, Haukka flew over them to give them the latest news.
"Haukka, what is it?" Liana asked.
"Your parents are in danger. The Overlord's forces are approaching them." The bird replied.
The ninja and kunoichi were immediately alarmed, thinking themselves as fools.
They thought they will defend Ninjago by heading off the fight evil when they should've been at home protecting those who truly needed it.
"What are we going to do!? We can't just turn around when we're so close!" Chris complained.
"No matter what you do then and now, you will meet the Overlord in battle. It may be tempting to continue but right now, your parents need you more than the Overlord desires to meet you in battle." Misako answered.
The ninjas felt uneasy having to leave when they were so close but their families needed them. Sure, they can defend themselves but the new generation felt guilty if they don't tend to them.
"You know… this might be a blessing in disguise…" Alex pondered.
"What good will come out of our parents being in danger!?" Leon lashed out at her.
"If we were all gathered in one spot, the Overlord will focus on us and with both of us and our parents banding together, we might have a chance."
"Alex, have you been eating a lot of sugar lately?" Akira raised an eyebrow at his twin.
"As perverse as it is, Alex's theory is sound." Misako took her student's side.
"WHAT!?"
"You may have found your true potential but you can use all the help you can get. Also, because you are natural enemies, the Overlord may be expecting you to come to his hideout. You can't afford to walk straight into a trap.
"I… understand."
With much reluctance, the group turned around to the monastery…
After finding out what happened to Cole and Luna, the other couples went to have a meeting at the monastery where they'll stay until their house gets fixed. Even Garmadon and Haruka were alarmed by the recent events and came to offer whatever aid they can.
"My condolences." Wu comforted Cole and Luna after such an ordeal.
"It's alright," Cole brushed him off, "We've been through worse."
"So why do we all have to come here?" Jay asked in a bored tone until Nya hushed him.
"You should already know why we're all here." Lloyd said dryly.
"It's obvious the Overlord will no longer wait and is now taking the initiative," Wu started, "The war is just beginning and we have to get ready for it."
"And what of our children?" Aria asked.
"They may have found their true potential but they still have a lot to learn and so do we."
'Too bad it'll be all for nothing…' Garmadon thought bitterly.
'Stop it!' Another part of himself wanting to break free from his past scolded.
'Your loss.'
'I already lost so much! What else do I have to lose?'
'…Them…'
'No! I won't let them pay for what I have done!'
'Why fight? If you return to the darkness, you can get back what you've lost…'
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone was startled by Garmadon's sudden outburst. He understandably went through a lot of trauma from his time as a dark lord but he never lashed out like this.
"I should've known I can't run from my past forever…" Garmadon groaned.
"That was what you used to be. You're no longer Lord Garmadon." Wu consoled his brother.
"But what if I have to go back…?"
The old teacher was disturbed by his sibling's dark mood swings. As a child, he did what he can to ignore it but that wasn't who he was anymore and he wanted to help him now.
"You don't have to go back if you don't want to."
"I apologize. These ominous events have been opening old wounds…"
"Garmadon…" Haruka too was unnerved by her husband's attitude.
"But what about our children?" Nya brought everyone back on the main subject.
"Yeah. Can they truly defeat the Overlord?" Heather added.
"I'm aware of why we're here but I also fear that our gathering will gain unwanted attention." Zane said warily.
"Taking risks is part of being a ninja. You should know that very well, Zane." Wu countered.
"But just in case, have you all brought something you can defend yourself with?" Haruka made sure that the original ninjas didn't come unprepared just in case Zane's fears come true.
"I got that covered." Kai answered.
"We know that we're also targets of the Overlord's lackeys and we can't underestimate them. I personally think we should confront them ourselves." Jay said.
"I have to agree," Luna nodded, "Even if it's our children's turn now, we can't let them solve the problems we have to fix."
"But what of the Overlord himself?" Iris brought up the machinator behind all this.
"We'll all have to pitch in for that." Lloyd answered.
"Do you think- "
Before Jay can finish his sentence, the sound of roaring engines echoed outside. The ninjas and teachers clambered outside to see a surprising spectacle.
Docked at the foot of the mountain was the Destiny's Bounty but inside, the ninjas still weren't sure if this was the right thing to do…
"I don't know, guys," Leon sighed, "What if the Overlord is coming up with some scheme?"
"The Overlord isn't important for now," Alex answered, "Not until we have a plan."
"Do you think Mom and Dad will be disappointed in us?" Kyle asked Chris.
"We're still young and have a lot to learn. They'll understand." The blue ninja said.
"I hope so…"
With bated breath, the new generation finally emerged from the ship and at the top of the long winding stairs, they were greeted by the surprised faces of their parents…
(*) Paska = Shit (Finnish)
Awww! We're gonna have a family reunion! But a lot of stuff will happen in the next chapter & that skirmish in Meerheim was just a taste of what awaits the old and new ninjas! For the part with Garmadon, I did thought making him suffer PTSD, but I didn't want to be offensive but I like to think he still gets pretty 'dark' once in a while as we'll see later on…
Again, I apologize for these slow chapters but there WILL be action in the next one! I promise! It may not seem like it but this story is far from over! Until then, please review!