Children of Destiny
Wow. The finale to the ultimate climax is finally here.
I still have no words to say & it's a little sad that this story's gonna be over but your faith has motivated me to see this through to the end so please enjoy.
Chapter 79: Ending the Cycle
An eerie silence filled the chamber while the two destined foes stared each other down.
The Overlord's glare glowed with pure hatred but the new green ninja was just as determined as his father, echoing that fateful battle he fought eons ago but that served as fuel to the dark lord's ever increasing hatred for the ninjas.
The other ninjas were quick to join their brother in their final battle. While Leon will lead them, he wasn't the only one who has to fight.
"I can't let my brother fight him alone!" Willow stepped up.
"No matter what happens, I'm going to follow you to the very end." Alex followed.
The other ninja and kunoichi soon stepped up and joined Leon in the final showdown.
The new generation turned to their parents, who looked on with faith in their children.
"There is nothing to be afraid of," Lloyd spoke to his daughter, "You have grown since you were just a very small child who awoken her powers. You will open a new chapter for Ninjago."
"If we were able to beat him, then so can you." Jay encouraged his sons.
"With our parents and everyone's hopes, we will deliver a bright future!" Leon declared.
The dark lord cackled over the ninjas' silly vows.
They truly were their parents' children.
"You humans and your childish sentiments…" The Overlord jeered, "All those speeches of love, hope, and compassion are nothing more than self-indulgent stories you make up to feel special. Even your great-grandfather was an idealistic fool who lived under the childish fantasies of him being the great man you think he is."
"Because it's true." Willow talked back at the lord of all evil himself.
The cruel being stopped gloating and sent a glare that would've terrified the kunoichi of time if she didn't go through so much training and trials for this moment. Instead of running away, the youngest kunoichi stepped forward, prepared for what fate has prepared for her. She was not alone as her brother and their brethren too stood up to the dark lord.
"He created this world and he knew he couldn't be here to see it all unfold. My grandfather and granduncle were right. Everything he did was for this world he created to ensure its future. It's also time to move on. You are part of Ninjago's past, not its future." Leon added.
"No! I will not be forgotten! I still rule over this world and I'll make it stay that way!"
"Then that'll leave me no choice… BUT TO TAKE IT FROM YOU!"
Leon ambushed the Overlord but the latter was already prepared for a surprise attack and used his dark sword to counter him. Sparks literally flew amidst the duel and the other ninjas joined in to take away any advantages the dark lord could get his soiled hands on.
The battle of destiny commenced and the ninjas had countless reasons to continue fighting. All the times both good and bad brought them together and they have been destined for this very moment since the day they were born. They had so much to fight for and they couldn't afford to lose. There were also so many sacrifices along the way and even if it'll make victory taste so bittersweet if they're lucky enough to win, it also driven the ninjas to make sure their losses will never be in vain.
"We wouldn't have been able to defeat you but there's one advantage we have." Chris boasted.
"With Wu and Garmadon's souls alone bringing balance, we have the right to take you out!"
The ninjas' real potential shone through and they held nothing back. Leon continued his sword duel with the Overlord with Willow helping him move faster by manipulating time so he can go faster. The elemental ninjas also joined in, using everything in their powers to hinder him. Fire, lightning, ice, and earth worked together to ambush the dark lord while metal, wind, water, and nature held him down and leave him open to face the ninjas' wrath.
"We've grown much stronger yet you still stand… guess you're not so different from us…" Liana huffed between heavy breaths, refusing to avert her misty eyes from the dark lord.
"How dare you compare yourselves to me!" The despot attacked the kunoichi of ice with a dark shockwave at full force, sending her flying into the furthest wall.
"Liana!"
"Sis!"
Akira and Forrest rushed to her and inspected the damage. Liana's porcelain skin was tarnished with bleeding cuts and bruises but she was still alive.
"You monster!" Heather roared with only Zane preventing her from foolishly lashing out, "I will not stand here and let you hurt my daughter!"
The Overlord paid no heed to the former kunoichi's wrath and focused on Akira. He can feel an intense heat within him but it wasn't from his element. This was the same heat that came from each couple during his first battle against their parents.
The fire ninja suddenly screamed and felt like his whole body was being crushed while it began to levitate. The Overlord had him in his grasp and could torture him in any way he pleases.
"N-No…!" Liana barely managed to get up, driven by her determination to save the first person she truly loved.
"Two souls willing to give their lives for one another… How sweet… How utterly ridiculous!" The cruel entity forced the red ninja's temperature to drop at a dangerously low level.
Akira's body shook in violent tremors and even his lips started to turn blue.
"…L-L-Liana…! …D-don't worry… about m-m-me…!" He still placed Liana's life above his own.
Before Liana could do anything, the torrent of flame spewed forth and scorched the Overlord's body and releasing the previously helpless ninja. The source of the flame was none other than the original fire ninja, whose body was engulfed by fire.
"Don't you ever hurt my son." Kai seemingly kept his cool but his teammates knew better.
A flurry of fireballs soon followed and the original fire ninja just kept going until the enemy was now a charred mess.
The new generation and their parents cornered the Overlord but for the veterans, this all felt a little too easy…
"It's over," Leon said, "Do this world a favor and disappear."
Rather than surrender or face death with dignity, the Overlord did what the foolish youths least expected. A sinister smirk remained hidden in his pitch black skin now that he had them where he wanted them…
"I can't believe you'd fall for my trap so easily!"
"What!?"
The original ninjas mentally berated themselves for still walking straight into the Overlord's trap but it was too late.
This time, all the ninjas were ensnared in the Overlord's grasp. He wasn't attacking them yet an unbearable pain pulsed all over their bodies. The tyrant had them completely under his control and whatever his sadistic mind wanted, he can make it a reality.
"Did you really think I was going to let you win?" He callously taunted his victims.
"Mom! Dad!" Sayuri was terrified even as Dareth stood in front of her in case the Overlord has his sights set on her.
"I… I won't let you get away with this…!" Iris tried to summon her powers but the Overlord still had control over law and order, rendering her time and space powers obsolete.
"You know, I can make this easier for all of you. You just have to submit to me."
"I'd rather die." Leon literally spat at the Overlord's face.
The ninjas expected the evil lord to lash out but instead, he appeared calm and it was apparent what he was really trying to do. Again, they felt their bodies weaken and it was painful to do as much as keeping their eyes open. They felt their very life force draining away but there was one thing the Overlord can't have and that was their will. As painful as it was, they didn't scream or cry, refusing to give their enemy every last bit of satisfaction he wanted.
Leon turned to his father with emerald eyes trying to say he was sorry for failing him.
However, the original green ninja looked back with a look of pride. Even if they end up dying for their world, at least they learned from their experiences and face death with dignity.
Just before the ninjas' energy was completely depleted, a strong light appeared between them and the Overlord, freeing and healing the former and blinding the latter.
"What is this!? Why won't you fools ever give up!?" The Overlord complained.
'Some things never change…' A solemn voice answered sardonically.
"Father…?" Lloyd recognized one of the voices as Garmadon's.
"Sensei!" The former ninjas were just as surprised by the brothers' sudden intervention.
'Your time has been over yet you try to remain here as long as you can…' Wu's voice carried an air of disapproval towards the Overlord.
"You have no right to deny what is rightfully mine! Besides, you're dead! There's nothing you or your pathetic bloodline can do to stop me!" The vile entity gloated.
'We have become the balance. You alone threaten the harmony both generations of ninja and our father strived for so long to achieve. Now is the hour of destiny.'
"Gruncle…?' Leon stepped towards the light shining before him.
'Leon, it's time to fulfill your destiny. Use the balance we have created to restore harmony. All of you take our power and end the cycle once and for all.'
The ninjas' bodies glowed with the same aura Wu and Garmadon have become. A brilliant light like the sun and the shadows of the night emitted from their bodies at the same time. The two opposing forces combined to create a unique beauty that was balance and harmony. Even their parents were engulfed and they were also bestowed with the brother's final blessings.
'You are the children of destiny. Your actions will decide the future of Ninjago.'
Both generations charged up their powers as well as the new abilities given by the sons of the First Spinjitzu Master. The Overlord was overwhelmed by this power that should be his and his alone. Even the mere exposure from the light of harmony weakened his control even further.
"NO! I WON'T DIE JUST BECAUSE DESTINY SAYS SO! I STILL CONTROL THE WORLD!"
"Not anymore." Leon created another blade but this time, it was a combination of sunlight and the shadows of the night.
The ninjas, old and new, combined their powers with the balance to drive out the Overlord and create a new world with a brighter future. The new generation each placed their hands on the hilt of the sword, infusing it with their powers while it also absorbed the elemental auras from their parents.
"This is for Sensei Wu and Garmadon!"
The new generation raised the sword and plunged it into where the Overlord's heart would be. The evil being shrieked and black blood gushed from the wound and from his mouth.
"This is for the years of despair you've brought to Ninjago!"
The young ninjas plunged the sword deeper into the Overlord's body, who was now shrieking in agony but still determined to stay in this world.
"STOP! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!"
"And this is for our friends and families!"
Everyone imbued the sword with all their powers to deal the finishing blow.
"NINJA-GO!"
The Overlord's bloodcurdling screech echoed throughout the chamber and perhaps the entirety of Ninjago while everyone and everything within was consumed in pure white light.
And it was the last thing the ninjas knew before their consciousness slipped away…
Again… wow.
I'm surprised I was able to publish this chapter, especially with an injured right thumb but all the support from my faithful readers helped me pull through. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, even with a little more to this story left to be written.
Again, thank you so much & review!