Good afternoon! (It's gotta be afternoon somewhere, right?)
This is a collection of stories that both follow up on the WAR OF DARKNESS CHRONICLES trilogy, as well as setting the stage for the next big story.
If you haven't read the WAR OF DARKNESS CHRONICLES trilogy, be warned that there are major spoilers immediately ahead for the end of the trilogy.
AFTER THE WAR
Episode 1: The Bleak Midwinter
The Guardians mourn for their fallen brother, but they honor the joy Danny always displayed by seeking the joy of Christmas with all their hearts. In the new year, more big changes begin to take shape.
Grace Hill Baptist Church; Billingsley, Alabama
Earth
Wednesday November 28, 2018…
The ceremony was exactly one week after the Battle of the Sea of Sand; exactly one week after Danny fell in battle.
It was a small, private service. Danny's mother and his sister Emily were there, as were the Guardians and their allies and mentors; their friends Kayla and Pete also came, as did Mack's girlfriend Anna.
Danny's mother asked Mack to speak at the funeral, so he did his best to give a speech that would honor his fallen friend.
He stood before the small crowd, holding a piece of paper and trying to control his emotions.
"I'm about to stand here for a few minutes and say some things that everyone already knew about our friend Danny, but they should be said anyway.
"Danny was a good friend. He was the kind of guy you wanted to be around when you were having a rough day—you could be sure he would find some way to cheer you up.
"Danny was strong. Before he had any idea of the power within him, he would come over to the house and work out with us—a bunch of warriors—and he would just about outdo us every day.
"Danny was br—"
Mack hesitated as his breath caught. He quickly gathered himself and continued.
"Danny was brave. When we identified him and he became a Guardian, he told me right then that he would lay down his life to defend the innocent.
"After he fell in battle, I knelt beside him as he—as he faded. He didn't ask me to save him—in fact, he wouldn't let me leave the battle to get help because he knew I had to face our ultimate enemy. In his last breaths, he asked me to do two things: look after his little sister, and go win the war.
"I couldn't save Danny, but we will never stop honoring him. His sacrifice was not in vain, and we will never let it be in vain."
Slowly but surely, the ninja moved on. They grew to accept Danny's absence around the Hut and the Elemental Temple, as well as during training.
The Christmas season was afoot, and it was a holiday unfamiliar to the Ninjago-natives. It was, perhaps, a fitting time to introduce them to new traditions.
They enjoyed shopping for gifts in the Secret Santa that had been set up, making gingerbread houses, and decorating around Mack's family property; all the while remembering Danny and the joy he always had about him.
Kasey and Zee joined Mack in teaching the others about the true meaning of the Christmas season from the first two chapters of the Gospel of Saint Luke: a story that some of the ninja had heard, as some books—including those of the Holy Bible—were mysteriously brought to Ninjago from Earth hundreds of years ago.
The Ninjago-natives were surprised that the stories of the Bible were held as truth by many in this world, as they were regarded merely as helpful moral stories in Ninjago, but the conviction with which Mack and his family held their beliefs led many of them to be more curious about the faith over the last several months.
The night before Christmas Eve, the ninja rented the Billingsley Community Center to throw a Christmas Party, during which hilarity ensued when the ninja presented their Secret Santa gifts to each other. Anna, and Mack's friends were also in on the party and the Secret Santa.
There was no doubt about whose gift was the best. Kai drew Morro's name, and he simply gifted him a mistletoe in a wrapped little box. When Morro opened the box, he blushed, and Kai rushed to take the mistletoe out of the box and hold it over Morro's head.
"I love these crazy Earth traditions," Kai smirked.
Zee, seated beside Morro, laughed and the couple shared their first kiss, resulting in a chorus of "aww"s from everyone present.
The ninja celebrated Christmas Day with Mack's family, partaking in festivities that involved tons of delicious food, reading of the Nativity story, and exchanging gifts.
Through all the celebrations, the ninja reminded themselves and each other of the joy that Danny would want them to share in this festive season. It was a sweet time, and the ninja felt more like a family than ever before.
Borg Robotics, Inc.; Ninjago City
Ninjago
Friday December 28, 2018…
The ninja decided they would return to Ninjago to celebrate the new year. When they arrived, their first task was to visit Dr. Borg to discuss fulfilling Zane's request to be integrated into the digital world.
"I must admit," Dr. Borg said after Zane told him of his desire, "I am not surprised at all to hear your request. You and P.I.X.A.L. connected in a profound way; it is only natural that you should want to be fully reunited with her."
"Thank you, Dr. Borg," Zane replied. "How will accomplish this?"
"To integrate your conscience into the digital world will take time, and, unfortunately, you will be immobile and hooked up to a hard drive and several computers for that time. It is a delicate process, and if the connection is disturbed, we would have to start all over."
"It is worth it, and my brothers and sisters have given their full support," Zane smiled. The ninja were all waiting in the lobby while Zane and Borg talked in his office.
"However," Zane hesitated, "I do worry about not being able to help them if a threat arises."
"Ah," Borg beamed, "I thought you might have that concern. When we integrate you into the digiverse, I would like to also implant you within Nya's Samurai Mech. This would allow you to fight alongside the ninja in the event that Nya separates from the mech during a battle.
"Furthermore, I would like to create database stations at your dwellings here in Ninjago and on Earth where your friends will be able to access knowledge that might help them if they find themselves in a puzzling situation."
Zane was quiet for a moment. "You have really thought of everything, haven't you?"
"As I said," Borg shrugged, "I was not surprised to hear your request. Now, we will need some help to get all the hardware ready. Yours, of course, Nya's, and Jay's assistance will be important to getting this project done."
"They have already pledged their help," Zane replied. "Shall we go tell them the plan?"
"Indeed!"
Zane and Dr. Borg told the ninja about the plan to integrate Zane into the digital world, to which the ninja reacted with joy that Zane would be reunited with the loved one he only had in his head for now.
The necessary changes were made to Nya's mech's software, and with Jay's help, the database stations were designed and rendered. All that was left was to hook Zane up to the equipment that would begin the integration process.
Wednesday January 1, 2019…
At the stroke of midnight that rung in the new year, Zane said his goodbyes (which were really only temporary, as Zane would still be able to communicate and fellowship with the ninja through the database stations) and gave Borg a nod.
Zane got into the contraption that looked like an upright hospital bed (except it was metal). Dr. Borg strapped Zane in and plugged a giant cable into a socket in the back of his head, and… nothing changed.
"Is something wrong?" Zane frowned. "I am still awake."
"Everything is fine," Borg assured. "You can wake and sleep as you please while the computer integrates your conscience into the digiverse. When the process is done, you will get very sleepy and pass out. Then, you'll be there! And that'll be it."
"Oh, I see," Zane replied. "I suppose the goodbyes were overwrought, then?"
"Perhaps, especially seeing as your friends can visit you whenever you wish—as long as they do not disturb the connection with the computer…"
"We'll try to visit every day!" Lloyd said.
"Yeah," Jay agreed, "especially since you're gonna be stuck here for two months…"
"Don't worry," Borg said, "I've downloaded many books into Zane's databank for his reading pleasure during the operation."
"Oh, joy!" Zane beamed.
Morro muttered under his breath how lucky Zane was to be left alone to read for months at a time, which earned him smack in the shoulder from Zee.
After a few minutes of talking, the ninja went home (it was after midnight, after all, and everyone was tired), relieved that their goodbyes were unnecessary and excited for their brother's new future.