Children of Destiny

I can't believe we're getting close to the end! Beginning from here, Leon will be put to the test & there's also gonna be a bit of a dispute between Garmadon & the Serpentine. I'm sorry these chapters have been short but I hope the upcoming climax will make up for it. Enjoy!

Chapter 59: Running Out of Time

The hour of destiny draws ever closer and the ninjas knew that all too well, especially Leon.

Being hailed the next green ninja, he pretty much had Ninjago's fate on his shoulders and even if his family prepared him for years for this moment, it still wasn't easy coming to terms with his destiny and unique powers. As a child, all he cared about was being able to do all the 'cool stuff' his father would do to entertain him and Willow but with his mind now mature and possessing the knowledge of what the world is really like, he wasn't so sure if being the green ninja was all it was cut out to be in his then impressionable mind.

From what his father experienced, he wouldn't be able to live a carefree life like other children and teens and the fate of every person in Ninjago depends on his actions. Sacrifices will have to be made, some battles will be won, others will be lost, and the final battle will NOT be easy…

The ninja and kunoichi surrounded the next green ninja, expecting him to make his move.

"Sensei, do you think I'll have what it takes?" The green-eyed teen looked to Misako for advice.

"Leon, remember that you're not doing it all by yourself. You have the other ninjas by your side and your family supports you." The wise woman goaded him in yet another training session.

"I don't know if I can do this…"

"You can't keep doubting yourself. It's not good for your emotional health and your mind must be in steady condition for your powers to work."

"But I didn't ask to be the green ninja." Leon complained.

"And we didn't ask to be ninjas either," Forrest responded, "And our parents sure as hell didn't ask for it either. You may be the one with the most power but you're not alone on this."

"Yeah! We got your back, no matter what!" Chris added.

"And we had our own problems but we were able to pull through not because of determination alone but because we have each other. We're a team and don't forget that." Alex joined in.

"Just think about who and what you're fighting for. What would you do if your family or friends were in danger?" Amy also tried to get him motivated.

Leon gulped nervously and tried to think of an answer. It's no doubt he'll do whatever he could to make sure nothing as awful as his mother's transformation will happen again but he was still more than a little afraid to fill in the shoes his father left for him.

'Can I really do it? Can I actually become a hero?'

The green ninja remembered his training and all the stories of father told him of all the feats he had done years ago. They all seem too good to be true but then again, his family line descended from the First Spinjitzu Master, who created Ninjago. Even his teammates and their parents had also done some extraordinary things and had unique origins such as Zane having been a robot to Luna curing Cole when he turned into a snake.

Leon's body started to glow and emit a golden light.

The image of a golden dragon materialized in front of the ninjas and the more Leon focused on his unique powers, the more corporeal the dragon became. Misako recognized it as the dragon only those chosen by destiny can summon and so far, only Lloyd was able to control it but now, it seems like Leon really is his father's son.

"You've all changed so much since you've began your journey." Misako observed the ninjas.

Even the intelligent old woman still found it mystifying how fast time can fly by. It still felt like a few days ago since she first accompanied the new generation on the outset of their adventure. The ninjas have found their true potential and she had a feeling that it won't be long until their full elemental strengths will be put to the test in what could be the true battle that will decide the fate of the world.

The golden dragon was now a completely corporeal being. Its low rumbles alluded to the great powers it holds and its scales shone with elegant green patterns. There was no mistake that this dragon was the same one only Lloyd can call into the mortal realm but the golden beast can be summoned by others, albeit those who were destined to bring light to the world.

And the dragon's presence was proof that Leon may have what it takes.

The green ninja cautiously raised his hand towards the golden dragon's face but the large beast didn't seem to mind. The rumbles softened when Leon gently stroked its muzzle, as if accepting him as its new master.

"The hour of destiny draws closer," Misako started, "You have all learned so much and all your experiences will be put to the test soon. It would be wise to not let your guard down."

"But what about Garmadon?" Melody brought up the old turncoat.

"There's still a chance to save him but he isn't the only one who needs saving. It may not seem like it now but as long as the Overlord exists, everyone and everything are at risk. You've gone through many trials and tribulations not to gain power but to shape Ninjago's destiny."

"I still can't believe we're almost there…" Liana thought back on how far she and everyone had come to get to this point.

"We still have to keep looking for the Overlord and Garmadon," Akira added, "We've come too far to turn back now. We need to stop delaying the inevitable and actually do stuff."

"But what can we do? We're still stuck in a dead end." Forrest lamented.

"The Overlord isn't getting any weaker and neither should we." Melody answered.

"And it's not only us. Our parents still have their powers and they still love us too much to let us confront the bad guys by ourselves." Willow added.

"Leon, do you think you're ready?" Misako asked the hero in the making.

"I still don't think I have what it takes right now…" The green ninja started, "But I'm not going to give up. I believe I can do it as long as I'm with you guys."

"That's the spirit!" Akira boasted while giving Leon a hearty slap on the shoulder.

Misako observed the similar dynamics between the new generation and their predecessors. In a way, they truly were their parents' children and she had faith that they'll succeed like them.

Time was running out and they'll need the faith of their loved ones to be ready for the fight that may shape Ninjago's destiny…

The snakes were still fuming over the Overlord following through with Garmadon's ultimatum. It wasn't fair for them to lose their queens just so that human can waltz right in and think he's part of their group. The old coot has gone soft and it might be best to let him screw up so their master can off him like he should've done a long time ago. But the Serpentine weren't exactly known for their patience. They wanted to get rid of Garmadon as soon as they can but they had to figure out how…

"Thisssss isssss the lasssst time he triesssss to control usssss!" Not even the dimwitted Skalidor can forget Garmadon's time as leader of the Serpentine when he essentially treated them like his own slaves.

"If the Overlord won't take him out… then we will…" Acidicus hissed.

"That sssssenile human will sssssoon back out like the coward he isssss," Fangtom added, "But… the time isssss right. Our revenge issssss ripe for the taking."

Pythor remained silent, slightly bemused by the other tribal leader's foolishness. Unlike them, he hadn't forgotten what the Overlord will do to his zealots if their loyalty falters.

Just ask Skales.

"Pythor! Get off of your lazy asssssss and help usssss!" The Venomari leader complained to him.

"I'm fine right where I am, thank you very much." The purple snake sneered.

"Forget him. He'sssss not gonna do anything." Skalidor scoffed.

Fangtom and Acidicus were more than eager to follow through with their scheme, whether the Anacondrai joined or not. This was their one golden opportunity to finally get revenge for years of torment from the aged has-been.

Pythor also shared the other leaders' lust for vengeance but he wanted to bide his time. Unlike them, he was willing to set his interests aside if it meant allowing him to live to see his ambition become reality. He will still get Iris but some compromises will have to be made. Being trapped underground all alone for eons does have a way of teaching patience…

Garmadon was more than aware of the ire he got from the Serpentine but can't blame them.

After all, he was responsible for wiping out any chances for them to propagate their species. He can hear them whispering behind his back and can feel those hateful stares even when he was facing the opposite direction.

The Overlord was a surprisingly quick learner. Having a fortified base would make him a sitting duck for those meddling ninjas and ordered his servants to construct a moving fortress. Such a machine would've been impossible but he was the lord of all evil. He had access to the dark arts long forgotten by other humans as well as the latest technology he got his metaphorical hands on. The new fortress was built with a core that functioned as an engine, allowing it to traverse the vast land of Ninjago and was fueled by the dark energy radiating from its master's form so there were no worries of running out of fuel. With his plans coming together, Ninjago will soon be no match for the Overlord…

Garmadon stood atop the fortress, knowing of the unwanted attention he was getting. He can already hear them creeping up on them even before turning around.

"You've come to get rid of me, have you?" Garmadon asked without even facing them.

The Serpentine planned to let the old man have his last words but he seemed eager to meet his end and they shared that sentiment on cutting his life short but yet again, the old human never seems to let them have what they want.

Garmadon used his Spinjitzu to outsmart the snakes. His now silver tornado was too fast for the Serpentine to land a single hit, which he would've used to his advantage. These reptiles were so incompetent he didn't even try to put up fight. He remembered what they were capable of and evaded Fangtom's fangs or Acidicus' saliva.

"Child's play…" He sneered within the rapid twister before engulfing the snakes in it, throwing them out once they were beaten and bloodied by his fury.

Alas, even after all these years, Garmadon never lost his touch but the Serpentine's obsession with revenge began to consume them. While trying to be strategic in the beginning, their rage reduced them into bloodthirsty demons bent on destroying all humans. The former tyrant felt slight remorse for all the things he had done but if this is what they want, they'll get it.

But the commotion garnered some unwanted attention.

"Failures!" A gravelly voice boomed, rendering the Serpentine a cowering wreck.

The Overlord hovered above his insubordinate slaves and they can tell he was really pissed.

"Forgive usssss, Masssster!" They begged, "We don't share your belief that Garmadon is to be trussssted. He lived in the light too long to truly desssssire darknesssssssss- "

"ENOUGH!"

The Overlord's anger was enough to frighten even his most loyal of servants.

"Alas, you're already nothing but a bunch of pitiful snakes. My human zealots were right about you being all take and no give. But don't worry. Your deaths will not be in vain for I'm in need of some further assistance from you."

Just like Skales, the Serpentine's scales and muscles melted away until there were nothing but a bunch of skeletons and even then, their bones withered away, screaming in agony for as long as they had their voices. The Overlord managed to get hold of the dead Serpentine's souls before they could disappear and absorbed them into his own being like he had done with Skales. The surge of power managed to ease his thirst but it will never be enough, not as long as Ninjago is still going about, blissfully unaware of him.

Garmadon's stony face didn't flinch even as he saw the snakes die so graphically. It serves them right for being a bunch of deceitful selfish creatures that don't deserve anything.

"I still need more power," The dark lord groused, "This isn't enough. It's never enough. I MUST have it all!"

Garmadon remembered when he was like that, always wanting everything and not above using others to get them. Those dark desires never completely left him even after he was cleansed of the Great Devourer's venom. It was because of that he had no other place to go but back.

"My Lord," Jacob approached and bowed before his master, "What should we do next?"

"I've been putting off my plans of conquest for far too long. Now is the perfect time to grab my opportunities before they leave me. We will make our first move tonight."

"But how?" Clouse asked.

"I don't like to give out my objectives a second time." The Overlord growled, frightening him.

The servants, now aware of what their master will do to any wayward followers, were quick to obey his command.

Meanwhile, Garmadon can do nothing but solemnly obey his new master since he was now too far gone to be saved…

Wu felt a fell wind blowing and he already knew what it meant. The fate of Ninjago will depend on the choices the ninjas will make and they have little time to make up their minds.

"It's time…"

Looks like things are gonna get real from here on out!

Even if it's 2 days late, I would like to say that it's been a whole year since I published this story & even if it's coming to an end soon, I hope it'll leave a lasting impression. I also want to say thank you to everyone for supporting me to the very end. I've been honestly losing interest in Ninjago cuz of the decaying writing but you guys are what kept me going. I've come too far to quit now & I'll see this through to the very end because you deserve it.

Until then, please review!