"We're here."
Lloyd looked around. The bright orange halls and walls of Djinjago were missing, replaced with the vibrant forests of Ninjago, with the early morning sun cascading over it. He smiled, knowing that Khanjikhans wish worked. Wait, where did he go?-
He looked in terror as Khanjikhan writhed in pain, before dropping to the ground. The wish had weakened him temporarily.
"Khanjikhan! Are you ok?!" Lloyd asked. Getting on one knee to assess his condition.
"I'm alright.. I haven't casted a wish in a long time.. We can only hope it'll be an easy trip to this "Ninjago City.."
Lloyd smiled once more, knowing that he would soon be able to get to the city, warn the public of the threat, and see his friends again. But as he peered out into the horizon, he saw an odd collection of clouds loom over Ninjago City. and in front of the southern entrance to the city, was the monster that took hold of Morros' mind. The one that destroyed Stix, and housed friend and foe alike, cursed for all eternity. The Preeminent. While Lloyd could barely make out the outline of the figure from the distance he and Khanjikhan were at, he knew what it was, and assumed the worst.
"We- were too late! It's gotten to the city.." He dropped to his knees. Thinking of all the people who would suffer at its hand. His friends, his brothers, Uncle Wu, and his mother, all came to mind. Though he had no idea what Krux had planned for Misako, let alone the existence of Krux, Acronix, or Dr, Saunders, he knew that The Preeminent would find them all, no matter where they ran.
Khanjikhan peered out in Lloyds direction. He didn't have good eyesight, but he too could see the gathering storms that loomed over the city. Undeterred by them, he started gently floating in the direction of the city.
"Where are you going?" Lloyd asked.
"To the city. I wished for us to return to Ninjago under the condition that I may find the last records of my son, alive or not."
"My friends couldn't stop it in time.. There won't be anything left to search. Nobody to ask. We lost.."
"I didn't give up my crown to drown myself in the seas below Djinjago. I was so cross that he had chosen a life as a scoundrel over his own home, that I couldn't see past my own anger. But I grew to accept his decision, if not, to simply tolerate it." Khanjikhan breathed in for a minute, before continuing, holding out a hand to Lloyd. "If your friends really are deceased, we may be Ninjagos last hope."
Lloyd looked at the hand for a second, before taking it. "Thanks.." The two set off in the direction of the city. From their vantage point in the small forest, they were able to view the path that lay before them. The rest of the forest wouldn't be too difficult, rather it would be the desert that gave them the most hardship, as Lloyd would likely run out of water by the time they reached the city, and be too dehydrated to fend off ghosts, or sneak past them with Khanjikhan.
"I used to imagine what it would be like to live in the forest a lot when I was a kid. It almost happened too." Lloyd said. Wanting to strike up some sort of conversation between them.
"What happened?"
"My friends kind of knocked down my treefort.. Well, they weren't exactly my friends back then. I was evil!"
Khanjikhan looked confused for a second. "These trees are stable enough to build castles upon them?"
"Some of them. But you have to wait years for them to be strong enough for stuff like that."
"Apologies.. Trees in my home realm are rare. Even rarer to find a tree remotely the size of the ones here. What was so evil about your fort?"
"It was harmless fun I guess. I didn't even build it myself. I had some.. Uhh, "Fellow followers of evil" to help me. I was really just trying to be like my dad.."
"Do you ever think about what it would've been like if things had been different? Your father.. You said he left you with your mother, who then left you at the school. If he had raised you to embrace the darkness that corrupted himself, do you think you'd have had enough power to destroy The Preeminent regardless?"
Lloyd thought for a moment. He wasn't a person to dwell upon mistakes, but the idea of another him, in another time, and another place, being trained to inflict harm and misery unto others by his father was a sickening idea. "I don't care whatever happens. I will never embrace that kind of power. Even if it's the last option."
"Evil and good are points of view. The only true corruption is that which can be crafted. Via magic, or even by wishing. Many of our kind have viewed the worst in Humanity, Serpentine, Skulkin, Ghost, Robot, at times, even our own kin have shown their true colors.. My son included."
"And do you ever think about what would've happened if he stayed?"
"Constantly. I don't know how much havoc he caused, if a hero like you hasn't crossed paths with him yet. But if he is deceased like I fear, I can only hope he hasn't brought such corruption into your realm."
Lloyd nodded, as the two made their way to the end of the short woods, and the beginning of the dry expanse of sand before them. It'd be an hour or so if they took the right routes. But the many ravines and creatures inside the desert would impede their progress. More time for Morro to seize the city, with his immortal queen.
(In Ninjago . . .)
Wu looked upon the beast that hulked above the city that they had protected so many times. Miles and miles of land would fall victim to The Preeminent's curse, allowing Morro the revenge he longed for all this time. But something felt off about this whole scenario. Where were Misako and Ronin? Wu thought. While Ronin only recently became more of an ally than a curse, Misako had been there from the very beginning. The woman he could have married had his brother not found his letter.
Ronin too was concerned with Misako. She hadn't come out of the museum yet. "Heh.. Guess this Saunders guy really is a bore, eh Misak-" But no response came. He had forgotten he was alone, if only for a second. He liked having friends now. He was about to run back inside, when he saw Misako. She was being hauled by two creatures he had never seen before. The Doctor he had seen in the museum, Saunders, stood in a corner, with a wide, disgusting grin across his face. He looked different though. And once he caught a glimpse of Ronin outside, his grin turned into a scowl.
Krux knew who Misako was. He had worked with her for many years, and had even known her previously to creating his false identity as the kindly Dr, Saunders. The wife of one of his biggest enemies, Garmadon, was in his museum day in and day out. A constant thorn in his side. Countless days worth of progress on his master plan would be halted, just because Misako got too close to the truth. But he had enough. He was going to use this opportunity to inflict true pain upon her. She would live just long enough to witness The Preeminent destroy the city her and her loved ones fought for. If she wouldn't be killed by the destruction, she would be cursed, and forced to serve The Preeminent as a cursed victim. He had forgotten about the strange man with the red straw hat who came with her. One who could easily steal Misako back from his two incompetent generals.
Walking outside, "Saunders" made his way up to Ronin, just in time for Raggmunk and Blunk to make their way out of the building.
"Alright Doctor. Something clearly isn't right. Now you hand the lady over before you and your freak shows over there get tied to the streetlamps, so the ghosts can figure out what to do with you."
Krux laughed. "You're a funny man! Mr.. Oh. Where are my manners? Who do I thank for the threat?"
"It's Ronin. Now hand her over, now!" Ronin pulled out a hidden katana, for situations like these. Krux knew that he could take on the man long enough, but he wouldn't be able to hold him off long enough for the two Vermillion to get Misako to the ghosts in time. Let alone the fact that he would want to witness it. From a distance of course.
His fears were answered, when out from the windows came an army of the red and orange Vermillion, led by Machia. Krux breathed a sigh of relief, remembering he had ordered her out into Ninjago, in order to search for Garmadon. This would be more than enough to stop the rude man. Krux pulled off his fake beard and glasses. Dropping them down, and stomping them with his foot, before pulling out a katana of his own.
Ronin stepped back. He had no idea who this doctor was, or what the creatures beside him were. But he knew he wouldn't be able to win. "Hey! I'm sure we can make a deal for me to get out of this fight! Huh?"
"So! You aren't a funny man after all. You're just a coward. Go ahead! Prove me right!"
"Prove you right? What do you mean?.."
"I'll give you a choice. You leave Ninjago along with the rest of the heathens who choose to evacuate, or you take Misakos place.. As an offering to The Preeminent!"
Machia looked at Krux, not understanding why he would make such an unfavorable deal. But Krux's glare in her direction quickly put her into her place, as she prepared to pummel Ronins defenses, if he chose neither option.
Ronin thought hard. He knew he couldn't save Misako, but he knew Krux would likely never hold his end of the bargain. Right then and there, he made a choice. One he knew he would regret, every single second of his remaining life.
"Alright alright! I'll leave! Just let me go!"
Krux smiled. Having proved his point, he orders his Vermillion out of Ronins way, as he ran in fear. Knowing by the time he warned The Ninja, it'd be too late.
"My lord.. Why did you let the coward run? He knows about us.. And about your identity."
"Do not worry Machia. He knows not of my true name, nor my brother. There's nothing to tell.. Even if Wu and his foolish disciples figure it out. They'll have bigger fish to fry. Now quick. Take your army and get out of the city before The Preeminent destroys it."
"Where will you be?"
"In the Swamps.. The city will hold. But if the sewer collapses, I have a backup plan."
Machia nodded, as she and the other Vermillion ran off in the direction of Sensei Garmadon's former school.
The Preeminent had been waiting at the edge for a while. Surveying the deserted streets in rage. Morro could feel her anger grow, as she assumed Morro had lied about the large number of people in the town.
"Master.. The people are at the end of the waters. We will slow them down!"
Morro raised a sword, beckoning the call of the other ghosts, as they all rose from their rest. "It is time, my minions and allies! To Ninjago we ride! Stop the citizens from escaping our master's curse! FOR THE PREEMINENT!"
A massive charge rode through the streets of the city, As The Preeminent rampaged into the city. Knocking down skyscrapers, eyeing Borg Tower in the middle of the city, rushing to it. Morro and the ghosts rushed to the screaming people. Some of which hadn't been evacuated in time. Ghosts pulled them into the skies, dropping them into the mouth of The Preeminent, cursing their souls to a life of eternal service to The Cursed Realm, and Morro, the stubborn child who had brought the hellish sight to Ninjago.
Wu looked down, seeing the carnage. "We need to stop it from reaching the harbor! Where's Ronin!"
Kai shrugged. "Maybe he ran off? Wouldn't put it past him."
Jay was livid at the idea. "Who cares where he is!? We got this far without him anyways!" He ran in the direction of the police station, as Ronin ran up to the group.
Wu smiled, thinking Misako wouldn't be far behind.
"Wu.. Im- im so sorry.. She didn't make it. I couldve- I- '' For the first time in Ronins career as a criminal, he felt ashamed of himself for his selfishness. He now had to look Wu in the eye and tell him he ran while that man.. That horrible man sacrificed Misako to The Preeminent. But he didn't need to explain the rest. Wu felt it in his soul. Misako wouldn't come back. She wasn't dead, but she was too far away now to save. But he wouldn't accept it. He couldn't.
"NINJA! TO THE CITY! NOW!"
Zane attempted to stop Wu from making a brash decision. "Master Wu! We can't get too close to it! The debris from the buildings its knocking over could kill-"
Wu gave Zane a cold glare, the likes of which he had never seen from his sensei. "Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today! Have none of you listened to what I taught!? MOVE!" He ran off into the city proper, followed by Kai, then Cole, then Zane, who had reluctantly decided so. Ronin was too devastated to even process what had just happened, dropping to his knees, staring into the ground.
At the police station, Jay watched as the remaining officers fled the building, as Dr, Tonya and Nya ran out. Nya had gotten back to her feet, but was stumbling, as Tenya tried to steady their running by keeping one arm around Nya. Jay ran over and hugged Nya.
"Nya! You're ok!"
"Don't worry Jay! I wasn't about to leave without putting up a good fight with you guys!"
"Fight-?! Your- barely managing to run!" Tenya confusedly responded.
Nya was about to tell Tenya Wu's mantra, "Ninja never quit." But when she looked up and saw The Preeminent approach Borg tower, she remembered the horrific visions. Her will to fight dropped, as she clenched her hand around Tenya. "Maybe- you're right.."
"Nya?.." Jay looked concerned.
"It's ok Nya.. We can live to fight another day. You'll get your chance!" Tenya said. Jay was going to rebuttal, but seeing Nya in a state of defeat prevented him from managing the words out. He instead helped Tenya move Nya over to the boats, before looking around, not seeing any of The Ninja.
"Huh?.. Guess they went to hold the ghosts off."
Tenya gently pulled a blanket over Nya, who was struggling to stay awake. "Feel free to join them.. Nyas is still going to need some rest."
Jay shook his head. "I'm not leaving her again.." He sat down opposite of Nya and Tenya. Knowing full well that Wu would chew him out later. But he knew then and there what was most important.
Misako awoke to the sounds of crashing and destruction. She couldn't feel her legs, nor her arms, as she felt a pressure being applied to her back. She looked up to see two strange creatures pinning her down. She tried to move, but exhaustion took hold. She saw The Preeminent in the distance, as it clutched at Borg Towers, breaking it into chunks. It slowly turned to see Misako, Raggmunk, and Blunk, as it started to stomp in their direction.
"Hey Blunk. You think Lord Krux just did this to get rid of us?"
"Nah. Besides! Snakes can't be cursed! We'll be perfectly fine."
Misako realized she could convince them to back off, if she figured out a way to trick them. "You two have never heard of the fates that had befallen The Anacondrai?"
Raggmunk and Blunk shrugged. "Cursed snakes! You mean to tell me you don't even know how Morro got out of the cursed realm?"
Raggmunk and Blunk shrugged. Again. They had no idea what an "Anacondrai" was, let alone what a "Morro" was.
Misako was about to finish her white-lie, before a familiar face appeared in front of the three, as Raggmunk and Blunk looked up.
"Boo!"
The two clumsy and foolish Vermillion ran off, screaming, as if they had just seen a ghost. Morro stood above Misako, holding his katana to her forehead. "So.. Here lies Wu's most precious loved one. I wonder how he'll feel when he sees your cursed soul in our possession!"
Misako looked upon the boy who had once been Wu's proudest achievement. His first, and for a time, his last student. She would listen to him every day as he would tell her about how proud he was of Morro, and how happy he was to finally be able to pass on what his father had taught him. And the sadness that accompanied his soul when Morro disappeared. The pupil who had brought him so much joy stood before her, an angry, misguided child.
"You don't have to do this.."
"What? That's all you've got!?"
"I'm being serious."
"And I'm not! There's nothing you can say to stop The Preeminent." Morro spun his katana around in his hand, as a sign of victory.
"The Preeminent!? The Preeminent has been using you the whole time! Do you really think Wu chose to give up on you!? The only one who gave up was you. You decided you didn't want to become a stronger warrior, a faster ninja, a better pupil to the man who raised you. You gave it all up so you could hurt everyone you would've saved as the green ninja?"
Morro scowled at Misako. Wife, mother, enemy. He thought. The mother of the chosen green savior, who was now stranded across space and time. Yet somehow, he felt for her. Deep in his corrupted soul, there was something that spoke to him. He tried desperately to ignore it. "I am my own greatest teacher! I don't need Wu, I don't need his pupils, and I don't need you!" He held his sword closer to Misako.
"He cried on my shoulder for support after you vanished! He loved you! You were his SON!" Misako yelled. The Preeminent neared closer.
"It doesn't matter.. It's too late to fix any of my mistakes. Just.. Tell him I'm sorry."
"That's something you need to do yourself. It may take a while, but you can make up for what happened. We can stop The Preeminent. We can save you." Misako attempted to lift her hand up, but it fell back.
For an instant, Morro no longer was looking at Misako, the enemy of his cause, and lover of the one he hated so, but someone who was willing to help him atone for the destruction around him.
"I don't know what to say.."
Misako was about to speak, when she screamed. Morro looked up, and almost screamed himself. The Preeminent's massive eye was yards away. Staring down. But not at Misako, but at Morro. Wu and the ninja had just arrived. And to Wu, it looked like Morro and The Preeminent had just about finished her off. The Preeminent got up, knowing what would happen. She was going to show Morro what happens when you try to betray her, and forget you were ever as evil as her.
"MORRO!" Wu held his staff in Morro's direction. Morro dropped the katana, and walked steps forward.
"Master.. Please! We need to get her out of here before-"
"There is no we anymore, Morro. You've proven that you were never able to achieve the role of green ninja! You were always too selfish to ever rise up and become better than I had trained you to be!
Morro wanted to be mad. But he couldn't. Misakos words were few, but they were effective. Morro was torn. He wanted to make things right, but he knew Wu would never accept him for what he was. One of, if not his greatest mistake.
"Master Wu.. I know this sudden change of allegiance is wrong.. I have a lot to make up for. But I promise! I'll make things right again! You have to believe me!"
Misako was losing consciousness again. She wanted to help Morro, but she couldn't. Her head burned with searing pain, as she fell into unconsciousness. Morro looked back, seeing her lay limp, he reached down to pick her up, only for her to be pulled from his grasp by a trio of nameless, faceless ghosts. Servants of The Preeminent. True servants. But The Preeminent didn't want another servant, she wanted to see both Wu and Morro suffer. The ghosts rose up, as high and as far as they could go, and let the limp body of Misako go, as she gracefully fell to the ground. There was nothing that could be done. Morro tried to stop her descent with his winds, but no matter how far he projected, she continued to fall.
"NO!" Morro and Wu cried out in unison. But there was no time to mourn Misakos loss. The Preeminent was on the ninja's tail. Wu got one last look at Morro, before turning, and running away. Hiding a face of tears. They were able to stall The Preeminent, but at Misakos demise.
The Commissioner stood atop one of the last boats, as several of them had already left for The Dark Island. He grumbled as he watched Ronin cry on the docks, but furthered his glance to see the rest of The Ninja return to the docks.
"Great! We can get outta here before that eyeball-headed creature tears out boats in half!"
The Ninja wordlessly got onto the boat. Wu was inconsolable, as Cole tried to ease Wu's sadness. "She's.. in a better place Master Wu."
"I never should've trusted Morro in the first place.. This is my fault.. I let her down.. I let my brother down.. I let.. Lloyd.."
Everyone looked down. Nobody knew how they would break the news to Lloyd. The Commissioner climbed down the stairs and into the cabin the 5, (If you count P.I.X.E.L), were in.
Zane spoke up, clearly trying to change the subject. "How are the numbers, Mr, The Commissioner?"
"Pretty good! Got most of everyone out in time, and with Jay and Ronins help, we even managed to evacuate Jamanakai."
The good news helped ease worries. As the boats sailed far beyond The Preeminent's reach, it stared in anger as the people of Ninjago escaped. Morro and the ghosts stood close behind it, as one of the generals approached the conflicted Master of Wind.
"My lord.. The Master requests that you re-enter The Cursed Realm for 'conditioning..'.." Bansha said.
"Leave me alone." Morro walked past Bansha.
"I have never known you to disobey The Preeminent.. Then again, everyone saw what you did." She looked back and forth, before speaking again. "It's unwise to upset her.. I'd be very careful with what you do next."
Bansha flew off. And Morro was left with the knowledge that soon, he may not be in The Preeminent's favor anymore. But he didnt care. He ran over to Misakos body, falling to his knees in front of it.
"You meant so much to him.. This isn't what I wanted.."
He picked her up, barely managing to keep his hands corporeal for long enough to carry it away. Digging a hole near the ruins of the museum, he put her in it. Marking the grave with his katana.
"It isn't right that your family.. Your own son and husband don't get to be here to mourn.. I promise. I know who to get help from."
Morro ran away from Misakos grave. He knew just who to go to in order to stop the evil he had unleashed on Ninjago. It'd be a difficult burden to endure, but for the sake of the one he failed to save, he knew the only person who would be able to save him now would be the person who escaped his own evil destiny. Morro entered The Cursed Realm, running through the halls. And ending up at his destination. Garmadons chamber.
(Sorry for the wait, was on vacation, so came up with an extra long part. Hope you enjoyed it!)