Children of Destiny
It's finally time to ring in the New Year with my first chapter in 2016! I can't believe how fast can fly by but here's the next chappie! You can tell I've been playing Undertale quite a lot & there's even a reference here & those who can find it will win a free butterscotch-cinnamon pie! Read on!
Chapter 58: Lovers' Respite
Life as a ninja is never easy and the new generation already knew that all too well. The Overlord could very well be on the next step to world domination and they were just sitting around, just waiting for his next move and the fact that Garmadon was now with him and his lackeys didn't make things any better. If they keep looking for him, that'll be exactly what he wants and they can't afford giving him everything he wanted on a silver platter.
The best option right now was to hang low but that didn't mean the ninjas were going soft. The veteran ninjas also planned to help them out and they were still cautious of his henchmen and anything out of the ordinary.
But the ninja and kunoichi didn't like their lives being 'all work and no play'.
Things seemed peaceful at the moment so why not have a little break?
Kyle was completely engrossed with the newest indie games on his laptop but he wasn't alone. Melody sat next to the yellow ninja, watching him fight skeletons and robots with fabulous legs. Ever since they admitted their feelings, they spent as much time as they can together and even got to know more about one another such as their tastes in music and games. While the yellow ninja was busy dodging attacks and blocking laser-quick spears, the kunoichi of water stared in awe. Even the way he played games was different from hers. He seemed more concentrated on winning challenges while she usually played just to have fun and even then, their taste in games were different. Kyle liked RPG's and games with 'deep' plots while Melody just liked games with plenty of puzzles and emphasis on exploration but the metal wielder had a good taste in games.
"Does this game interest you?" Kyle turned to his teammate.
"I would like to try it one day." Melody answered.
"I could install the game for you if you want." The yellow ninja offered.
"Well… I have to say I'm not the best at video games but I still end up having fun anyway." The purple kunoichi grew flustered but didn't mind the offer.
"I have this habit of being entirely focused on beating the game but… what's the point of games if you can't enjoy it, right?"
"Maybe I could show you the games I have once this is over…"
"That would be nice but you should also come visit my family at Meerheim. Amy already knows and approves of us so I know our parents will also accept you."
The young duo felt like nothing existed except each other and before they knew it, they ended up snuggling but they didn't mind. There was more to life than fighting bad guys in real life and in games. There were also the more precious things in life that the learned to appreciate.
And that was why they felt that perhaps… they were just meant to be.
In the bridge, Liana continued to inspect Haukka to make sure nothing was wrong with him. As usual, Akira accompanied her so she wouldn't feel alone.
"I'm sorry if I offend you or anything but you could be an engineer since you're really good with robots and machines… or…" The fiery teen started awkwardly.
"I understand where you're coming from," The kunoichi of ice shrugged, "I do like working with machines and technology but I also have a thing for animals and Mother Nature…"
"You could also pursue a career in that. I won't judge you."
"But what about you? What do you plan to do once this is over?" Liana asked.
"I still have no idea but that doesn't mean I'll find something. We're still young and have plenty of time to find our life's calling and perhaps you'll end up choosing a career that has nothing to do with either mechanics or animals. We still have time to decide our future, even after we get rid of the Overlord for good."
"Do you really think we can defeat him forever?"
"Well, as long as we're determined, anything is possible… At least that's what I like to believe… I-I-I know you think I'm just being silly…"
"Actually… that's not really silly… I think it's good to try and make a difference, no matter what gets in the way…"
"You think so?"
"Yes," Liana shyly inched closer to Akira, "You know, you always have a way of cheering us up."
"Eh… I just wouldn't want any of you losing hope or give up, you know? I-it sounds cliché as hell but I like to believe that if we hold on to our ambitions, we can do anything…"
"You're such an idealist," The white kunoichi chuckled, "And that's also why I like you…"
Liana pecked Akira on the lips before resting her head on his shoulder. The fire ninja still can't believe he and the ice wielder were a couple but looks like dreams can come true.
"And you always know just what to say to make me feel better…" The olive-skinned ninja held her as if to keep her warm.
It was still nothing short of a miracle that Akira and Liana were now in a relationship. They still have yet to know if their parents will approve of them but knowing them, they probably won't mind as long as they truly love each other. Despite being opposites, they managed to cope with their differences and even complement one another, just like the yin and yang.
One of the things that always eased Willow's mind was to simply stare at the heart necklace her mother gave her. It had been one of her most prized possessions since she was young and ever since it was passed on to her, the pink kunoichi felt comforted whenever she thought about her mother's words to her when she gave it to her. Even if they're far apart, they'll still love her and they even continued to have faith in her and the young ninjas.
'But it wasn't enough to keep Grandpa from leaving us…'
The kunoichi of time was still saddened by her grandfather's departure but she and Leon vowed to rescue him but was it already too late?
"Mom, Dad… I don't know what to do…" Willow dangled the crystal heart charm in front of her as if the little piece of jewelry had the answers she sought after.
"You probably have a lot in your mind right now." A wise yet kind voice interrupted the young kunoichi's thoughts.
"S-Sensei…!" The violet-eyed girl fidgeted upon catching her teacher staring at her.
"You must be worried about your grandfather, no?" Misako asked with a hint of understanding.
"How did you…?"
"You've been looking upset ever since your parents told you Garmadon disappeared, though I don't blame you."
"He and I were lovers before he and your grandmother got together."
"What made you break up with him?"
"I was a naïve girl who allowed her hormones to cloud her judgement. Because of the venom's influence, your grandfather had a 'bad boy' image that attracted most girls, myself included. He never cared about the rules and said or did whatever he wanted without a care in the world. I was drawn to his roguish charms but eventually, I knew that no matter what, he can't hide the dark desires in the back of his mind. I wanted no part in them and left him…"
"Then what happened?"
"Your grandmother approached him to comfort him but… I know she already told you…"
"But how did you and Grandma first meet him?"
"Haruka probably told you already but your great-grandfather entrusted his sons to pass down his knowledge only to those worthy of learning the fading arts and gathered many candidates, us included. In the end, your grandmother and I were the only people able to pass the tests and we started living with them at the first monastery."
"Do you still… like him?"
"In a way… I still love him… just not in the same way I used to… He still has a special place in my heart and I still treasure the brief time we had together. As long as he and Haruka were happy, I was happy too."
"But that's not helping us save Grandpa."
"I also wish to find Garmadon not just for your family but for the entirety of Ninjago. Our home is a beautiful land rich with history and it would be awful to see it crumble under the Overlord's evil power. The First Spinjitzu Master passed down his secrets so this world will never fall under dark influences and you must ensure that the light will always shine on Ninjago."
"But I still don't know what to do…"
"You'll find the answers when you least suspect it. Things happen for a reason, whether they're hurtful or deliver a sense of hope. You're the kunoichi of time and space so you're the one who will discover those reasons."
"What about everyone else?"
"We each discover our life's calling for ourselves. Believe it or not, you have much more for you in life than defending Ninjago and having special powers. Your actions will shake the world and you'll eventually forge your own destiny."
"Thanks, Sensei."
Sayuri was well-known in her school to be smart for her age and it was no surprise coming from her intelligent parents. Despite being only nine-years-old, she still managed to control both of her elements, a feat that was once thought to be impossible save for the First Spinjitzu Master and those directly related to him.
But the Walkers continued to make their name known throughout the world and not just with their knack for inventions. Sayuri may not have unlocked her true potential but she was content to just control both metal AND lightning.
The ninja turned inventor invested as much time as he can to teach his daughter how to control her powers. It wasn't easy and there were occasional mishaps such as several machines blowing up by a stray lightning bolt or the silverware melting in her hands. Through countless trials and errors, it seemed like Sayuri was now getting the hang of it. Jay set up a bunch of decoys so she can show everything she's learned up to this point. Nya too encouraged her daughter as much as she can.
"Now show them what you got!" Jay encouraged his daughter once the arena was clear.
"Jay, we should teach Sayuri to use her powers for good, not to beat up people." Nya reminded her husband.
"I know… But to think she has powers like ours… and being able to make a difference… I-I don't know how to describe it…"
"I understand you mean well and you're proud of our daughter. I am too but that doesn't give us nor her the right to brag. Even if she never had any powers, she's still our child."
"But… I-I… I'm just so proud of her!" Jay sobbed melodramatically while clutching his daughter like a lifeline and Nya couldn't contain her giggles at the sight of her grown husband becoming so emotional over their children.
"Dad!" Sayuri squirmed in her father's tight grasp.
"Oh! Sorry…" The ninja inventor sheepishly let her go.
The former kunoichi leader couldn't help but chuckle at helped her child up anyway.
"Sayuri, can you show us what you've learned so far?" Nya encouraged her only daughter in a more positive approach.
"Okay!"
The little girl worked up her lightning and metal powers to show what she's got…
Sometimes, even a hot-headed guy like Akira appreciated solitude every now and then. It was going to be quite a while before dinner was ready and now that he was alone since his girlfriend was cooking tonight, he decided it wouldn't hurt to relax. But the silent reprieve was suddenly cut short by the computer screen popping up, revealing a certain someone he thought he didn't think he'd see again so soon.
"Dad!? W-why are you calling me!?" The fire ninja was surprised that his father would call him for no reason.
"I just wanted to speak with you… regarding Liana." Kai got straight to the point.
"NANI!?"
"Don't think I have no idea what's going on between you two. I saw the way you kept looking at each other. That's the kind of look only lovey-dovey couples can give off. Your mother and I did that and so did all the ninjas' parents. You don't have to hide anything from me."
"Fine… you got me… Liana and I are in love…"
One of the things Akira feared once he and Liana hooked up were either of their parents going berserk such as his parents thinking Liana wasn't good enough or Zane turning into a papa bear ready to tear off his face. He was already shaking
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
"What do you mean?"
"I… kinda feel like you wouldn't approve…" The young ninja lowered his head in humiliation.
"Why are you so embarrassed? There's nothing wrong with loving someone. I love your mother and I love you and Alex and I'm still badass." The former ninja boasted.
"Dad, this isn't the time to get cocky." Akira deadpanned.
"My point is that I know you and Liana are obviously more than friends and I don't see anything wrong with that." Kai immediately became serious.
"But I'm also concerned of what her parents will think…"
"They understand what you're going through better than anyone else, possibly even me. They also believe that as long as you truly love each other, that's all that matters. You should believe that too."
"By the way, how's Mom doing?"
"She's fine. You don't have to worry about her."
"Dad… Do you think there's a way to get rid of the Overlord and all evil forever?"
"I still like to believe it's possible but that's definitely a question not even Sensei Wu will know the answer to… but that won't stop us from trying, right?"
"You really think so?"
"Of course. You just have to stay determined, even when all hope seems lost, you can't give up. You already found your true potential and have people worth fighting for, isn't that enough?"
"Well… for starters, I don't want anything bad happening to you or Mom again… and of course there's Alex… and Liana… If anyone dare to try anything, I'm gonna tear them a new one."
"And there you have it," Kai replied, "The desire to protect your loved ones from danger, even if the odds are against you. That is determination. I was just like that back in the day."
"Would you still do that?"
"Hell yeah! I'd rather die than let that kind of stuff happen to you!"
"You're such a hothead, you know that?"
"That's what your mother told me… and she still does."
"So I guess even someone like me can find love…"
"Hai. I know you and Liana will make a great couple.
"Thanks, Dad."
"No problem. But before I go, let me give you one last bit of advice."
"What is it?"
"No matter what happens, don't give up. I told you many times before but I always want you to know that you can do anything as long as you're determined."
"I will, Dad. I'll see you later."
"Good luck… my son."
Again, I'm so sorry for the short chapter but this was supposed to be a bit of a filler from all the drama going on in this story. Also, I think the review problem is gone now because I checked my reviews & they've finally shown up here but if not, you might have to wait a bit.
Also, we're close to the anniversary of this fic getting published & I want to thank everyone who supported this sequel! Special mention goes to NinjaWriterMaster, Shadowselen, LightningDanino23, Goldmedalninja, Princess Bunny, & many more! Thank you & I'll see you all in the next chapter!