Children of Destiny
Wow… I still can't believe this story is getting close to the end. But there's plenty of action & drama in this chapter where we finally see what Jay & Nya were so busy on. Now sit back & enjoy the start of the long-awaited finale!
Chapter 71: The Final Defense
All the ninjas' hearts stopped beating the second Pythor finally revealed the Overlord's base. It felt like the impossible has become reality. They now knew this was the end and they can't run from it any longer. Heeding Pythor's warning that the stronghold was technologically superior to the Bounty, they can only catch up with the various reports with each passing day.
"Recently, there have been reports of sightings of the unidentified object looming over the Sea of Sand. Nobody knows what this object is yet and some people have already fallen into a state of unrest. Even those who remain optimistic believe only the ninjas can save us now." Gale said upon showing the images of the Overlord's fortress.
"Shit. What is that creep up to?" Chris groaned with frustration.
"Wherever the base is going, it's probably somewhere very important." Willow said.
"But we don't have a clear idea which place he'll go in particular…" Melody added.
"Don't you get it!? He's heading straight for the city!" Alex shouted with impatience.
"Why would he invade Ninjago City again if he failed last time!?" Forrest argued back.
"Exactly! The Overlord want's to finish what he attempted so long ago! He was able to make his base invisible and if he's revealing it now, then that means he's up to something!" The kunoichi of wind exclaimed.
"And remember what Pythor said? The Overlord is not just after revenge. He's also looking for something that not even Wu or Garmadon know of." Amy pointed out.
The pieces of the long and difficult puzzle was finally coming together for the young ninjas. The First Spinjitzu Master had done whatever it took to preserve harmony in the world he created. It seemed at first that he decided to build Ninjago's seat of power away from his home only to live the remainders of his days quietly but that was far from the truth. It never crossed anyone's mind that he had a deeper reason to build Ninjago City where it stands now.
There was no time to lose.
"To Ninjago City!" Liana commanded the Bounty to head for the capital.
The ninja and kunoichi can only hope that it won't be too late to stop the Overlord…
Ever since the strange object was first spotted, Jay made sure his team of engineers tracked its movements and locations.
The new invention scanned a large vessel different from the Destiny's Bounty and based on the theories that have been circulating since it first appeared, it might be the Overlord's base…
"Mr. Walker! We've detected numerous anomalies upon examining the object!" An employee lured the former ninja's attention to the screen.
"What anomalies?" Jay was immediately alert.
If even the smallest thing goes wrong, Ninjago City could be as good as gone.
"Shortly after the object was spotted, all electronics within its vicinity malfunctioned and this is no mere coincidence. Every time the object was seen, machines and vehicles broke down. What do you think? Are those rumors of the Overlord true?" The scientist pointed at the screen.
Jay wasn't sure how to answer. Even with his new invention complete, he still wasn't sure if it'll be enough to protect the city. He still had vivid memories of the final battle and didn't want to relive those horrors. He couldn't even bring himself to picture those same scenarios with Chris and Kyle taking his place.
"Do you have any idea where it's going?"
The scientist visibly hesitated before breaking it to him.
"With each sighting, the object is getting closer to Ninjago City." He finally answered.
"What!?" The ninja turned inventor examined the screens and just as he feared, the mysterious vessel was actually closer to the city with each passing report.
"Where was it the last time it was spotted!?"
"It was approximately nine miles east of the city during its last sighting."
"I was hoping we wouldn't have to do this yet but we must activate the machine soon."
Just outside, citizens started to panic and it didn't take long for the scientists to know why.
"We're too late! It's right above us!" The engineers spotted the fortress right above them. With what happened to Arbouria, the team had only a few precious seconds to defend the city.
"Activate the machine now!" Jay didn't hesitate to put his invention to good use.
"But what if- "
"NOW!"
Fearing for their lives, the scientists activated the machine, hoping it will work…
A translucent barrier akin to a bubble materialized around the whole parameter of Ninjago City. The force field gave off a faint bluish light that engulfed the capital of Ninjago while its structure was soon completed the moment the Overlord fired his weapon.
The sheer force of the beam sent shockwaves vibrating across the whole city. Some of the taller buildings shook a bit but other than that, the force field did what it was supposed to do. Jay and Nya would've celebrated the success of their biggest project if it weren't for the circumstances. The civilians were still terrified but felt relieved that they were still protected from evil.
"It actually worked…!" Ed and Edna were also astonished by the tremendous feat their son and his wife managed to pull off.
"Too bad this isn't the time to celebrate. As long as the Overlord's here, we're still in danger." Their daughter-in-law warned them.
The screens were corrupted by static but hidden in the white noise was a raspy voice laughing as if taunting the scientists and engineers and Jay and Nya recognized that voice all too well.
"You've certainly taken a step up since our last encounter." The Overlord's harsh grating voice echoed from the speakers.
"Stop playing dirty, Overlord! Quit hiding and face us like a man!" Jay growled.
"My nindroid army and Ash may be gone but they left behind their technology. They certainly knew what they were doing until they left this world. This defense mechanism of yours is way behind compared to the technology I alone possess."
"We know Garmadon's with you so show him to us!" Nya too stood up against the dark lord.
"I'm afraid he is… busy… for the moment…"
"Enough vague answers! What do you want with us!?" The lightning ninja complained.
"Hmmm… it's a wonder people have considered you a smart man even though deep down, you are just another idiot in this wretched world."
"What are you hiding from us!?"
"Why would the First Spinjitzu Master order the capital of Ninjago to be built here when he had the choice of making his old home the seat of power?"
"W-what are you saying…?"
"Even today, there are still some secrets left to be discovered…"
It didn't take long for the lightning and metal wielders pieced it all together.
"We'd rather die than let you win." Nya's voice was quiet but held a tranquil fury.
"There's something I want and getting rid of you, no matter how satisfying that will be, will not grant that to me and I will have it!"
"Not as long as we're here to stop you!"
"I like to see you try."
All of a sudden, the machines operating the shield malfunctioned. Sparks literally flew from the machinery until they broke down in a pile of gears, wire, and smoke. To everyone's horror, the force field shielding the city flickered for a few seconds and started to break down. It only took several seconds before Ninjago City's only defense against the Overlord was wiped out.
"The shield's no longer working!" The engineers tried to reactivate the machine but no matter what they tried, nothing worked. Ninjago City was now completely defenseless.
"Dammit!" Jay punched the control panel in frustration.
"Come on! Work!" Nya refused to give in and tried to find another way to get the force field to work again but her efforts were also fruitless.
Many people reacted differently but a sense of fear and panic loomed over them all. Some ran for the exits, some tried hiding within lower grounds, and others simply gave in to their doom, huddling around their loved ones for one final time.
The Overlord relished the fear and chaos that fueled his desire for absolute power. His weapon needed time to charge up but with the force field malfunctioning, the city was already his. The weapon was quickly ready for another assault, leaving Ninjago City ripe for the taking and he'll get the one thing he truly sought without much of a fight…
Or so he thought.
The Destiny's Bounty couldn't have come any sooner and it was a good thing Jay built a 'battle mode' in case of situations like an invasion of a whole city. Hidden within the decorative dragon was a cannon among the other weaponry hidden within the vessel's structure. Aiming directly at the Overlord's base, the massive cannon fired a huge beam that shook his vessel, causing the beam to narrowly miss the city. Civilians cheered and wept tears of joy upon seeing the Bounty hovering above even the tallest skyscrapers.
The new generation of heroes stood tall, ready to face their destiny.
With the Overlord's focus shifted towards the ninjas, the inventive couple now set their sights on saving the innocents.
"Everybody! Evacuate the city immediately!" Nya ordered.
Waves of civilians rushed away from the city but the crowding only created a lot of chaos. The panicked people weren't above pushing and trampling one another to escape despite orders to stay calm or at least as calm as they can get with the Overlord invading the city.
The Overlord's base was poised to fire again but the Destiny's Bounty was having none of it. Its cannon fired another blast at the evil vessel, pushing it further from the city.
"Chris! Kyle! What are you doing!?" Jay was shocked by his sons' efforts to stop the dark lord.
"We're doing what ninjas are supposed to do!" Chris exclaimed.
"But you're still too young to fight the Overlord! You don't know what he can do!" Nya cried.
"We're not going to be children forever! You have to let us grow up like you did!" Kyle pleaded.
The couple held their tongues, unable to think of a response. They knew their son was right and they were ashamed of themselves for trying to live in the past. No matter how much they didn't want it to happen, their children will succeed them and live through the triumphs and losses as a protector of the realm.
"I… we know you're growing up… but the Overlord isn't like any other enemy you've faced." Jay sighed, still not wanting to make his sons finish his work.
"Mom! Dad! You take care of the citizens! Leave the Overlord to us!" Chris ordered.
"I can help too!" Sayuri joined in and created sparks in her hands to prove that she had powers.
"Sayuri, the Overlord is an extremely powerful being and he already tricked you once! And if it will give him even the slightest advantage, he WILL do it again!" Jay warned her.
"But you could help us evacuate the citizens." Nya convinced her to focus elsewhere.
"Mom. Dad. We'll be fine. Don't worry about us." Kyle said.
Jay and Nya didn't want to admit it but their son was right. They had to let them grow up if they were to defeat the Overlord, perhaps for good.
Even if they won't like it…
"Just… try not to get yourselves killed, okay?" Nya pleaded.
"We'll get through this. We promise." Her sons vowed to see the finale through to the end.
"Guys! This isn't the time to get sentimental! We have a world to save!" Forrest interrupted.
The Walker brothers gave their quick goodbyes and joined the rest of the team.
All the young ninjas' hearts were filled with anxiety and a sense of finality while facing their fate as the protectors of Ninjago. This was what they've trained most of their lives for and only they will decide if all the trials and sacrifices were worth it.
"Sensei, should our parents know about this?" Amy asked the aged scholar once she returned from the bridge.
"Your parents just called! They already know and are on their way! Focus on the task at hand!" Misako exclaimed.
The ninjas went into full potential mode and aimed a torrent of their elements at the Overlord's stronghold, distracting the dark lord further from his goals. Sparks emitted from the vessel and it floated motionlessly, apparently having been weakened. This was the ninjas' only chance to get in and confront the Overlord face-to-face.
"This will be your most difficult trial yet but as the ninjas chosen by destiny, you must vanquish the Overlord. Everyone's fate, including yours, is now in your hands." Misako entrusted the new generation with Ninjago's future.
"NINJA-GO!"
The new generation activated their true potential and spun from the deck of the Bounty to the Overlord's base. Willow's space powers were put to good use upon her changing the direction of the pull of gravity to keep their feet on the vessel while searching for a way in.
"This place is well-sealed. There's no way in." Willow complained.
"Then we'll make one for ourselves." Akira used his full potential to melt a portion of the walls and Kyle lent a hand, using his elemental prowess to bend the metal until the entrance was just large enough for them to fit through...
The halls of the fortress were dark and plain, making the already foreboding stronghold all the more intimidating. The ninjas were careful to tread lightly but have become wary since the dark lord didn't do anything to stop them when they forced their way into his base.
The deeper they burrowed into the fortress, the more Leon's heart was clouded by doubt. This was the moment he trained years for. As a child, he only dreamt of all the glory he could have upon getting rid of the Overlord but now, after being exposed to the realities of being a ninja, he began to feel like he may not have what it takes. His childhood fear of letting his parents and everyone else down reemerged from the abyss of his soul, attempting to reclaim his mind…
"Leon, is something wrong?" Liana noticed the green ninja's hesitance.
"N-n-no…!" The fair-haired teen stuttered.
"Leon, you can't deny the truth, not with how far we've come." Amy saw through his little lie.
Leon couldn't deny he was scared of failing not just his father but everyone. However, he also had yet to find the courage to reveal his true emotions.
"I knew this day would come but still… I'm still just a naïve kid… I still don't know if I have what it takes to save Ninjago like my father…"
"Everything we learned and all we've been through up to this point will be put to the test. Only you can decide whether you'll fail or not. You didn't get this far just to run away like a coward. You are the green ninja of our time and while you will be the one to face off with the dark lord, we're a team and no matter how far apart we are, our bond will never be broken. Not even the Overlord can drive us apart and it's time to prove it to him. We've been through every trial and tribulation together and that's how we're gonna end it. We'll have your back so just give it your best shot, okay?" Akira encouraged the green ninja much like their fathers had done.
"Willow, do you think I have what it takes?" Leon turned to his little sister.
"Yeah! I'm not just saying that because I'm your sister. You were always looking out for me and doing your best in everything you did. It's not like you to give up at the last minute. Akira's right when he said we have each other. Our parents were the same and if they can do it, so can we. We grew up together and that's how we're going to end this."
The young green ninja took in everything his teammates said.
They all had their ups and downs but despite the odds, they pulled through in the end and their parents were no different. He remembered how his parents telling him of all the challenges life threw at them and even when they felt like giving up, they found a way to overcome them.
This is the ninjas' darkest hour but it is always darkest before the dawn.
"For you, my friends and family, and everyone, I'll do my best." Leon's courage returned to him thanks to the other ninjas' support.
"That's the spirit!" Akira smirked, glad to see Leon being himself again.
The ninja and kunoichi began this long journey together and that is the only way they'll end this once and for all.
Like Lloyd in canon, Leon will get quite a bit of focus in the next couple of chapters but don't worry. Each of the ninja & kunoichi will have their moment to shine.
So what do you think so far? Tell me in your reviews!