Children of Destiny
Holy shit guys. I can't believe this story is finally over. I can feel my heart breaking as I type this. I'm extremely grateful to all of you for your support & reviews. It still feels like yesterday when I first published 'Chosen by Destiny' & I probably wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for you. So sit back & enjoy the long awaited epilogue.
Epilogue: Come What May
Five months.
It has been five months since the Overlord was vanquished for good yet it felt like yesterday for the ninjas. The memories and bittersweet emotions remained fresh in their minds, perhaps for the rest of their lives.
Yet time continues moving forward and the past was to be left where it belonged. The heroes of Ninjago settled back into the ordinary lives they've led before it all started.
The ninjas have also experienced their own changes.
Although she was back in the same school with the same people who made fun of her, Liana no longer caved from the insults. She knew who she was and that she didn't need the approval of a bunch of classmates to feel accepted. Even Kyle noticeably loosened up around others now that he found no reason to fret over his image. Miraculously, even Pythor survived the ordeal but his evil deeds weren't forgotten despite everyone moving on. The last Serpentine was allowed to dwell on the surface albeit only in a limited area surrounding the Anacondrai tomb while under constant surveillance and for now, the purple snake seemed to keep his word of settling down.
On the way home with Alex, Akira felt his phone vibrate and found a message from Liana…
'Hi Akira. I'm just wondering how you're doing.'
The fire ninja let out a small smile. He and Liana were still going steady and luckily, their parents approved of their relationship. They may be far apart now but their bond was still strong. They weren't sure if having a long-distance relationship would work but so far, it did.
'I'm fine. How about you?'
'Things have changed but I think I can manage.'
'If you say so. Hopefully, I'll see you soon.'
'Me too. I love you.'
The last words rang in the fire ninja's head as if it was the most important thing anyone said to him. He still considered himself lucky to be an official couple with the kunoichi of ice. Sure, she was very beautiful but that wasn't all. She had her own unique charm and was very intelligent, which he actually appreciated. Plenty of girls he flirted with ended up being shallow, vain brats and not at all like Liana. Even though they'll be far away most of the time, at least they can still get together every summer and were lucky that their parents didn't mind them hooking up.
But time can only tell if this relationship sticks…
"Were you texting Liana?" Alex's voice brought the brother of wind out of his reverie.
"Y-yeah…" He stuttered sheepishly.
"Things have definitely changed…" The orange kunoichi sighed, thinking about the changes that the whole world had just gone through and even they grew up during their adventures.
Akira wasn't as hotheaded as he used to be and Alex started thinking more before making her move or speaking her mind. They still argue every now and then but it wasn't as much as they used to prior to their adventures.
"What do you think will happen next…?" Alex asked almost all of a sudden.
"I have no idea…" The fire ninja sighed, "But we can't worry about that now. I just want to live life to the fullest because I know all too well that anything can happen at any given moment."
"True…"
Moments of silence passed between the hot-blooded siblings before Alex spoke up yet again.
"So… are you gonna take Liana to the prom next year or will she be taking you?" She asked with a playful smirk.
"Alex!" Akira chased his sibling through the rest of the way home.
Despite the circumstance, the Pyrrhus twins still laughed all the way through.
They never knew what will happen next so they wanted nothing more than to take advantage of any opportunity they get to just make the most out of their blessings.
Roars of lightning reverberated in the backyard of the Walker's home as Jay and Nya continued training Sayuri. There may be no need for ninjas now but they wanted to make sure their young daughter had her powers under control just like her brothers.
"Keep it up, sis!" Chris encouraged his youngest sibling.
With a cute little battle cry, the little girl was able to demolish some scrap metal with her bare fist. It won't be long until she caught up with her brothers in terms of elemental control. But to the youngest Walker child, she felt like it was all wasted with the Overlord gone…
"Sayuri? Is something bothering you?" Kyle quickly noticed the melancholy in his sister's eyes.
"It's just that… when will I get another chance to use my powers? The Overlord's gone forever and there's nothing wrong with Ninjago." Sayuri lamented.
"No one said this peace was going to last forever," Jay reminded her, "There could still be some sickos out there who'll be like those guys who followed the Overlord and if we're not alone, it's only a matter of time before some other source of evil comes along…"
"So until then, let's just treasure the moments we have together." Nya suggested and allowed her daughter to crawl into her motherly embrace.
The youngest Walker child, as bored as she was, still appreciated the peace her family strived so hard to achieve. Having powers was nice but she learned to truly be grateful for the important things in life and so did her brothers.
And now they had their own future to look forward to…
Liana let out a bored sigh in her family's rebuilt home back in Arbouria.
Despite having many bad memories, this little town deep in the forest was still her home.
The town was still being rebuilt after being leveled by the Overlord and Zane and Heather were busy helping restore it to its past glory but there was a downside to it. Because there was a lot of work to be done, the couple didn't have as much time as they like to be with their children. Fortunately, Liana and Forrest were understanding despite the boredom of being alone.
Liana still couldn't help but smile over the messages Akira sent her.
Even today, he still had a way of making her feel accepted and loved in a different way than her family. He was the only person she felt a special kind of love for and so far, they didn't run into any major problems other than being far apart.
"Liana!" Forrest knocked on her door.
"Come in."
The younger Julien sibling came in and was greeted by his sister no longer wearing such a dour expression. It was definitely a huge difference but one that wasn't unwelcome.
The teal ninja felt a sense of pride seeing the changes in his sister and in turn, Liana noticed her brother's more composed temperament. They have both matured and learned much like their parents had years before. Liana was coming out of her shell and Forrest kept his emotions and temper in balance.
"Mom and Dad called and said they'll be coming home early. Is there anything you want to do before they get back?" Forrest suggested.
Forrest noticed how much Liana had changed and was happy seeing her finally opening up.
Things definitely weren't the same but changes weren't always a bad thing.
"Maybe we can go and check on the neighborhood." Liana suggested.
"Fine by me."
The siblings knew Ninjago had also changed and even with the bittersweet victory and the sad memories, it only encouraged them to truly treasure all the good things they have now.
The Charbonneau household was filled with the melodious sounds of Luna humming. Just like it had been all her life, the former kunoichi sang to ease her psyche from her problems and all the changes in Ninjago had left her feeling nervous no matter how many times Cole told her there was nothing to worry about.
Some things didn't change such as them hanging out with the same friends and home life being the same as usual but the differences were still there. Both Amy and Melody have matured but were still trying to figure out where destiny will lead them in an era of peace that will hopefully last forever. Cole and Luna can see in their eyes that they can't help but see things differently.
But changes aren't always so easy and it was that alone that made Luna a little anxious.
What will the future hold for Ninjago?
Is there some other source of evil out there?
The former idol shook such thoughts out of her mind. She should be making the most out of the peaceful times because no one knows when that could end. Once
"Meine Töchters, is something bothering you?" Luna ended her little melody upon seeing Amy and Melody looking not too happy despite their victory.
"Guess we can't lie to you…" Amy sighed, "Ever since the Overlord was defeated, we can't help but feel that we don't have any other purpose. Our lives don't have much meaning anymore…"
"That's not true. You are more than kunoichi, you just need some time to figure out what you truly want to do, regardless if you're kunoichi or not."
"But we don't know what we want to do…" Melody lamented.
"Don't worry about that. You still have time discovering yourselves and you can always depend on Dad and me. We'll always guide you through every obstacle, big or small and we will always support you, no matter what you want to do."
"Danke…"
"I'm home!" Cole's baritone voice echoed from the foyer and Luna greeted him with a kiss.
"Dad!" The Charbonneau sisters also greeted their father.
"It still feels like yesterday when I took you to the monastery for the last time." Cole sighed.
"Well, time has a funny way of passing by…" Amy chuckled.
"So how are you and Kyle doing?" The earth ninja asked his younger daughter in a teasing tone.
Thankfully, Cole didn't mind Melody and Kyle exploring their feelings for each other. They still had some growing up to do before knowing if it was meant to be but at least they were taking their time to know each other and the black ninja can tell they really enjoy spending time with one another.
"We're getting along so far." Melody answered but not without a shy blush tinting her cheeks.
"As long as you're happy, then I wouldn't mind you two getting together." Her mother was also supportive of her budding relationship, much to the ebony-haired girl's relief.
"Other than that, we're still trying to figure out what to do with our lives…" Amy said.
"I know how that feels," Cole started, "I went through the same thing when your mother and I fulfilled our destiny. But one day, when you least suspect it, the answers will come to you."
Amy and Melody felt reassured while Cole and Luna continued having faith in them. They had saved Ninjago and proved that they were ready to take on the world. But in the earth ninja and his wife's eyes, they will always be their precious little girls and they will be there for them, no matter what.
Leon greeted the dawn of a new day in the barren mountains of northeastern Ninjago.
Since the monastery wasn't going to be rebuilt, the surviving Garmadon family no longer had a home there and moved in to Haruka's isolated house but they were still able to get around by the Golden Dragon. Lloyd and Iris still wanted to give their children the best chance at a normal life as they can get but now that they were officially heroes, it was even more difficult yet that didn't stop them from doing what they can.
Misako too took up residence in the small house, continuing to support her ex-lover's surviving family, even if it was just to continue tutoring Leon and Willow.
"You can't depend on your reputation as heroes alone to become successful in life. Just as your grandfather said, there are times you'll have to let go of your past deeds to make decisions for your future." The wise woman continued lecturing the Garmadon siblings.
"We know…" Leon sighed and Misako knew he was still feeling uneasy.
Before the old scholar can confront the green ninja, his grandmother saw his gloomy expression and tried to strike a conversation with him and Willow.
"I can tell you're thinking about him." Haruka began, knowing exactly how they felt.
"I never thought they would be gone so soon." Willow responded.
"Life can be very cruel…" The careworn woman reminisced over the choices she made in life.
"Maybe that's why Gruncle Wu said everything happens for a reason…" Leon mused.
"Nani?" His grandmother tilted her head in confusion.
"I know this might sound crazy but I think these things happen because if our lives were nothing but sunshine and rainbows, it'll be kinda boring and we couldn't really appreciate it. It's kind of like yin and yang. The bad things that can happen make us truly appreciate what we have." The new green ninja mused over everything he's been taught since his early childhood.
"You've really grown over the years." Misako couldn't help but agree. After all the brutal trials they've faced, the ninjas now truly appreciated what they now have.
"But still… it still hurts…" Willow hugged her knees to her chest.
"I know…" Haruka wrapped her arms around her granddaughter.
"Mother." A masculine voice called from the small house.
The Garmadon siblings looked up at their parents also joining in with a look of understanding.
"Lloyd…" Haruka got up and embraced her son.
"Children, is something on your minds?" Iris asked her son and daughter.
"We were just thinking about everything that happened up to this point…" Leon answered.
"I can tell," Lloyd nodded, "Life can be very cruel but at the same time, it's something beautiful and our times here are to be cherished. My father and uncle chose to do what they've done to give us a chance to do so."
"Are you still sad they're gone?" Willow looked up to him for answers.
"Yes. Even to this day, it still hurts just picturing it in my head." Her father answered honestly.
"Lloyd…" Iris felt bad that her husband continued to suffer even after such an awful childhood.
"I'll be fine. I know I'll be able to heal as long as I'm with you." The former hero said as he gazed at the loved ones he still had.
Wu and Garmadon gave their lives to give hope for the future and their surviving family knew it and wanted to move on and live life to the fullest for them. They all learned a lot over the years and while they weren't ready to fully move on yet, they held onto the hope of a brighter future their loved ones were able to give them.
More months of changes passed by until the ninjas united once more.
Just like they've done every summer, the young ninjas gathered to train together but this time, no monastery stood to house and guide them not only because it was gone forever but because the ninja and kunoichi no longer need any more guidance since they've fulfilled their destiny.
The new generation stood before the new memorial. A large statue of the First Spinjitzu Master was carved into the mountain and the stonemasons were getting started on those of Sensei Wu and Garmadon. It was still bittersweet for the original ninjas to see a memorial built for them. As honorable as it was, it only reminded them that they were gone and they'll never see them again until their time in this world comes to an end.
At the same time, they knew that peace can be very fleeting and knowing all too well how life never turns out as planned, they were also ready to live life to the fullest in this new era.
"I never would've thought I'd see the day we saved Ninjago…" Kyle sighed.
"You know as they say, expect the unexpected." Nya said with a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"So do you think there will be a time when ninjas will be needed again?" Willow asked.
"None of us know for sure… but as Misako said, that's the beauty of it. You never know what's going to happen and as they say, life is full of surprises…" Liana answered.
"And I also wonder where we'll go from here…" Amy said.
"But just like we have sworn from the beginning, a ninja never quits." Kai vowed.
"Yes. As long as our world continues to live, we will be there in its time of need." Zane agreed.
"And our deeds as ninjas will never be forgotten. Humanity must know of their past so they will not make the same mistakes and build a better future." Cole reminded the young heroes.
"Whether or not evil strikes again in our time, we will never give up. Our destiny is to keep our world safe not just for us but for everyone. As ninjas, it is our destiny to protect Ninjago." Lloyd reaffirmed their vows as ninjas.
"We may not know when evil will return and where it'll come from but one thing's for sure. We will always be ready." Iris added.
"We already proved ourselves so I'll just say 'bring it on'." Akira stood proud and confident.
"It seems you truly are your father's son." Iris chuckled and so did everyone but both fire ninjas. The younger ninja even caught Liana giggling, much to his annoyance.
"What? What's so funny?" Kai asked, slightly annoyed.
"Nothing." Aria continued to tease her husband.
In the end, even the hotheaded duo couldn't help but just enjoy being with their allies.
After all the pain they've suffered in their trials and tribulations over the years, the ninjas both old and new continued to treasure the times they had together and they embraced their lives and destiny as ninjas. They will always have each other's backs and be ready for any challenge that'll come their way.
As the world continues to change, destiny will always remind them who they were.
They were ninjas and a ninja will never quit, no matter what the future may bring.
THE END
It's so beautiful yet so sad at the same time.
But just because this story is over doesn't mean I'm done writing forever. Unfortunately, I am going to take a little hiatus but don't worry. I won't be leaving forever & I still have many more ideas & there's even going to be a short sequel of sorts though it's not going to be another generation of ninjas. That'll be a too repetitive. But that'll technically make this series something of a trilogy, so yeah.
Again, I want to thank you all for sticking with me all the way to the end. Your support means so much to me no words can describe it.
Thank you so much & I'll see you all in my next stories!