Children of Destiny
Hi! Sorry for being late but your tears are what keeps me going! We'll see further into the reason for Wu & Garmadon's sacrifice & a little more drama towards the end as the true final battle commences! It's sad to see this story come to an end but hey, that's one thing being an author is about. Read on.
Chapter 77: Moving from the Past
Light and darkness blended together from the life force of the First Spinjitzu Master's sons. Wu and Garmadon gave their lives to renew the sacred powers of their lineage. Ninjago must face a new chapter and it was time for the world to move on and shed its past, including themselves.
Their loved ones can only stand and stare in shock at the bright yin yang aura before them.
Even if they win, the price these two men had to pay just isn't worth it.
Haruka broke down and loudly sobbed over the loss of her husband. Misako held her and even if she maintained her composure, that didn't stop her tears from flowing.
"G-Grandpa…?" Willow tried to approach the light but was held back by her father.
Lloyd felt his very soul shatter over the loss of his father even if his face didn't show it. Having grown up alone, he was more hardhearted than most but that didn't make him immune to the pain of losing a loved one. He actually wanted to scream, cry, or just run away from it all but he can't do it with the whole world still at stake.
The ninjas were also heartbroken by the loss of their teacher who guided them throughout the many adventures they've had and was very much like a father to them. He was practically part of their family and with him gone, there was a hole in their hearts that can never be filled.
Even Dareth made no effort to hide his tears and bawled alongside the ninjas.
These two men were important to not just them but Ninjago as a whole.
But now they were gone.
"N-Nein…" Luna wept in Cole's arms as he supported her.
"Why did it have to be like this?" Aria openly mourned the old man who guided her when she initially left her home and family.
"I… never thought it would end up this way…" Jay fell on his knees and even a single tear broke free and slid down his cheek.
'Do not mourn for us…' A familiar voice echoed from within the light.
"Sensei…?" Zane recognized the voice.
'We were meant to restore the balance between light and darkness. We understand what our father intended for us to do. We've accepted our destiny. It is time for Ninjago to move on. If it means sacrificing ourselves, we have no regrets.' Wu's voice resonated within the light.
"But I can't move on… Not without you…" Haruka still sobbed.
'We were meant to bring hope when all seems to be lost. We have fulfilled our purpose in life.' Garmadon's voice joined his brother's.
"But you didn't have to sacrifice yourselves because of us!" Leon cried.
"It… It didn't have to be like this!" Willow sobbed.
'You can't have everything you want. Willow, you have become a capable kunoichi and I'm very proud of you. Yet you still have time to grow into a young woman. As much as I would've liked to see you and Leon grow up, it is my duty to maintain balance for a world where you two can do just that. That is all I want.' Garmadon's voice also reached the surviving ninjas.
"But why did you have to…"
'We have become two halves of a whole. The Overlord has plunged Ninjago into chaos and we will become the balance necessary for a new world to thrive. Everything that had happened to Ninjago lead back to our past actions and it's time to end it. You will bring in a new age but that will mean moving on and shedding everything from the past, including us.' Wu answered.
'We can feel our consciousness slip away. You must answer destiny's call and save Ninjago. We will always watch over you alongside our father. Our time is up and we will now leave the world in your hands. We believe in you and know that you have it in you to also move on.'
The ninja and kunoichi knew they were right but it won't be easy moving on without them.
'You will bear the seeds of the future…' The brothers' parting words echoed as they joined their father in watching over this world.
The light where Wu and Garmadon stood disappeared but the ninjas can still feel the brothers' souls protecting them beyond the grave.
Haruka and her grandchildren still cried but Lloyd recovered from his shock. Deep down, he was still reeling over his family's sacrifice but there was time to mourn later.
"We must get going. Father and Uncle's efforts might not last long." He started.
"Lloyd…!" His mother was astonished that her son didn't seem to react to Garmadon's sacrifice.
"A ninja never quits, no matter what. Not even our losses will stop us from doing what we must for the world." Lloyd said solemnly.
The other ninjas understood they had to act fast but it wasn't easy right after losing loved ones.
"Must!? How could you say such things after what happened to your own father!?" Iris argued with her husband.
"The truth isn't always so pleasant and believe me, I'm also hurt by my father's sacrifice but he did it out of his own free will. I want to scream and cry just as badly as you but the Overlord is still ruling Ninjago. I can't just cast the world's fate aside for my wants." The green ninja's voice was still calm but held an austere tone that gave away his inner emotions.
The other ninjas hated to admit that he was right. Nothing could bring Wu and Garmadon back and they chose to give their lives for Ninjago. The least they can do is make sure their sacrifice wasn't wasted.
"Dad's right. We can't let Gruncle and Grandpa's sacrifice be in vain. They did all they could to help us save Ninjago and the least we can do is try." Leon was still distraught but also knew that mourning won't solve anything.
It took a lot of courage to cast grief aside and continue fighting but that sort of courage is key to maintain the duties of a ninja.
The bereft ninjas cast their tears aside and marched towards the Overlord's base and they can already see the difference with Wu and Garmadon bringing balance back to Ninjago.
The people around them were also affected by the harmony of light and darkness fusing into a perfect balance to bring order to the world. They were not as zombie-like as they were before and gained a slight sense of awareness. Their eyes were no longer empty and looked like they wanted to say something but the Overlord's hold on them wasn't entirely gone so all they can do now is just stand and stare. At least it wasn't nearly as bad as being trapped under the Overlord's total control…
Even atop his stronghold, the Overlord can sense his hold on the world waver.
"No! Those old fools have messed with me for the last time! It doesn't matter… they're finally dead. I still have control over the laws of my own world." The dark lord hated dwelling on any possibilities of his plans faltering and he knew how that felt.
Even if order and chaos still brought balance, he still had control over the realm.
The ninjas reached the Overlord's fortress with little issue but they knew this was just the calm before the storm...
Too bad there was no door or window, essentially blocking the dark lord from any opposition.
"Just when we thought we had a chance…" Forrest brooded over the ninjas' latest obstacle.
"Shit! There's no way in!" Cole gritted his teeth yet he can't help but commend the Overlord for becoming more savvy since their last encounter.
"Then we're gonna make one." Kai ignited his fists and burned a portion of the wall. His son was quick to join in while Aria and Alex summoned the wind to fuel the flames.
The ninjas also relied on their elemental strength to breach the fortress' defenses and refused to back down until a small portion of the wall crumbled. It also seemed like the Overlord knew he was going to fight them anyway since there was nothing but a winding staircase that led to the top of the tower.
The new generation can't deny the fear in their hearts.
However, the only way to overcome their fears was to face them.
"Mom, can I come with you?" Sayuri grasped her mother's hand.
The Walkers knew their youngest child will have to see the more unsavory aspects of reality yet she was still but a child.
"I guess it's time for you to face the true responsibilities of a ninja… But not matter what, stay close to us." Nya gently yet firmly held her daughter's wrist.
Now there really was no turning back…
The ninja and kunoichi carefully treaded through the winding upward path. The veteran ninjas felt nostalgic even in such a serious time since they've been through similar circumstances way back in the very first battle for Ninjago. But this time, there was no dark matter to worry about but instead, they had to wrest control over law and order from the dark lord.
"I hate to say this now but this kinda brings back memories." Jay tried to lighten the mood a bit.
"You just never change, do you?" Aria asked her relative but not without slight humor.
"It's just part of who I am." The lightning wielder answered sheepishly.
"Well we've certainly grown a lot back then and it's now our children's turn." Cole added.
"I kind of feared our children will have to face the horrors we've seen…" Kai confessed.
"We can still hear you." Akira retorted.
"And we were able to live through our trials. We can handle ourselves." Liana added.
The original ninjas still can't believe how far their children have come since they were children who've just awakened their powers. It only felt like yesterday to them and today, they were put to the ultimate test that will decide the fate of their world.
"I wish I was able to say this earlier but… I'm really proud of you…" Cole gazed at his daughters.
"But this will be our biggest trial yet. We will have to face the dark lord himself after suffering a heavy loss…" Heather said.
"We will win… For Father... Uncle… and everyone…" Lloyd still kept his fortitude.
The ninjas solemnly agreed.
The sons of the First Spinjitzu Master had succeeded in restoring balance by becoming it. Now the ninja and kunoichi will take the reins and guide Ninjago to a better tomorrow. First, they'll have to get rid of the Overlord.
An ominous aura loomed over the ninjas from the start but became much stronger the higher up they got until they stood before a pair of double doors made of a material resembling ebony and can even hear something either loud and distant or subtle and close from the other side.
"It's now or nothing. We will get rid of the Overlord or die trying." Chris readied himself for the inevitable final battle and his younger brethren followed suit.
Almost appearing like it had a will of its own, the seal opened, revealing the true enemy.
Sitting on his throne was the dark lord. His corporeal form still appeared like something straight from a nightmare but the ninjas were here to awaken this world from that twisted dream.
"I had a feeling it would end up like this…" The Overlord started.
"Obviously." Lloyd retorted.
"It's almost nostalgic. You all ganging up on me, beating down on one another…"
The ninja and kunoichi didn't trust their enemy one bit.
As if out of nowhere, the Overlord released a dark shockwave but the ninjas were privy to how deceitful he truly was and either dodged or shielded themselves from the ambush.
"I hate to say this but you're becoming more of a challenge…" The dark lord commended them in such a fake voice, "…That makes me all the more determined to destroy you!"
The Overlord sent a maelstrom of darkness at his enemies, from shadowy beams to phantoms yet the ninjas still stood. The dark lord was tired of them foiling his plans and he wasn't going to hold back anymore.
The new generation unleashed their full potential and charged at the dark lord but even then, their powers were equally matched, leaving them in an eternal draw.
"We… we can't stand a chance…!" Kyle gasped.
"You will never destroy me! As long as there is light, I will still lie in wait!" The Overlord gloated.
"You are not the sole source of darkness." Zane gained the courage to talk back.
"Are you trying to prove me wrong?" The despot's voice was ominously quiet.
"It was the only reason you were able to recruit your human lackeys. There is darkness within everyone's hearts… including ours." The former nindroid answered firmly.
"Zane…!" Heather was shocked that her husband seemed to negotiate with the dark lord.
"We will find a way to defeat you forever. You are not needed to keep order in this world." He still held his ground despite knowing who he was up against.
"Perhaps you're right… I can still sense the dark emotions buried deep inside you…"
The veteran ninjas still stood firm, defending their children as the Overlord crept up at them.
"You had the potential to remake Ninjago in your own image yet you declined like the coward you really are." The Overlord leaned a little too close towards Lloyd.
"I knew better not to trust you." The green ninja retorted coldly.
"But deep down… even today… I can still feel the dark emotions in your heart… Just when you had your father back, he left you and it's all for nothing!"
"Lloyd! Don't listen to him!" Iris pleaded her husband not to give in.
"I know that!" He raised his voice in agitation.
"And let's not forget them..." The dark lord walked over to his enemy's children.
Leon and Willow flinched under his evil glance but Iris instinctively rushed to defend them.
"Leave Leon and Willow out of this!" The kunoichi of time threw herself in front of her children.
The very embodiment of evil paid little heed to the former kunoichi's threat and lifted her body with sheer willpower alone and threw her across the chamber.
"Mom!" The Garmadon siblings tried to their mother but the Overlord stood in their way.
"It's not too late for you. I can sense your desire to throw away your responsibilities. Come with me and you will lead the life you've always wanted."
Even now, despite knowing their grandfather didn't want them to run away and that everyone in Ninjago depended on him, Leon still had a desire deep in his heart to shed his responsibilities no matter how many times his father told him otherwise. He found himself partially tempted by the Overlord's offer.
The new green ninja gazed at the pleading eyes of his family and allies.
They had done so much and he wasn't alone on his desires to be just an ordinary teenager.
Leon's heart was torn. One part of him wanted badly to leave it all behind but the other part of him told him this was just one of the dark lord's empty promises.
But which part of him was his true self?
The green ninja clutched his aching head, trying to find the answer.
Yet no matter how he'll answer, things won't end up as he'd like them to be. If he agrees, he'll end up dooming himself and Ninjago but if he declines, he'll continue living as the green ninja and not the ordinary lifestyle he still fantasized to this day.
He can only pick whichever will have less consequences.
The fate of Ninjago was now truly in his own hands…
So what will Leon do?
Will the new generation prove themselves?
Stick around for the next update to find out! Anyway, I want to say thank you to all of you who've supported me throughout the 'Destiny' series! I know how sad it is to see this story come to an end but I'll do my best to give it a fantastic ending!
Until next time!