A/n- S9 starts a week after S8 ended. In that time the Resistance fighters think the ninja and Wu are dead, and have to live in a city taken control by Garmadon and the SoG. That's a lot to deal with, but, given that a week has already passed, those left behind have had a little time to process what's happened. However I wanted to see the immediate aftermath...
(Also Kudos to anyone who get the title reference. It's drawn from 2 separate sources.)
A scream pierced the night. Raw, primal, and full of pain. It cut off as quickly as it came, but the inhabitants of the city who heard the sound knew something was horribly wrong. Well, horribly wrong beyond the destruction leveling the city (again).
Smoke from numerous fires billowed into the air, concealing the sky. The ground trembled, but not from any earthquake. If anything that would be better than the actual cause; a 50 story rock giant as heartless as its creator. It almost seemed to be laughing as it dropped the wooden remains of a ship to the ground far below.
A mile away, on a canal, the crash rocked the four occupants of a small boat.
Nya knelt in the stern. Tears streamed down her face as she stared in shock at the chaos surrounding them. The chaos that was now their sole duty to protect. Lloyd and Misako sat holding each other at the bow, the green ninja's cool façade having shattered upon telling his remaining family members the horrible news:
The ninja, and Wu, were gone.
'No! It can't be. It can't!' Pain unlike anything Nya had ever experienced tore at her heart. After all they'd endured... her team, her brother(s), her boyfriend; they couldn't be... gone. Not like this.
P.I.X.A.L. stood at the helm, keeping them on the move. While equally as stricken by Lloyd's news as the others, she had chosen to turn off her emotions momentarily. Long enough to keep them moving. Any hesitation could allow Garmadon and Harumi's goons to find them. So ignoring the pain coursing through her circuits, she searched her memory bank for a safe place where they could hide and grieve together.
"We can't go to the Samurai Cave." P.I.X.A.L's eyes flashed to Misako, who seemed to be reading her thoughts. "It's location isn't secret anymore and the technology there has been compromised to hackers in the past."
The female android nodded, "I had come to a similar conclusion. It's unclear how many of our normal hideouts are known to the Sons of Garmadon. We need somewhere non-affiliated with the ninja."
Numbly Nya shook her head, trying to break the fog shrouding her mind. "I have some places in the city that aren't in the system. Ronin trying to hunt us down a couple years ago cemented the need for hidden places."
Her unfocused gaze missed the confused glances of the others, but Misako only asked, "Can you direct us to the nearest one?"
Reaching sluggishly for her wrist computer, Nya brought up the address. "Here." She passed the device to P.I.X.A.L
"Thank you."
The hideout was only a few miles away and the canal would get them halfway there. P.I.X.A.L kept her scanners alert for life signs. Several heat signatures popped up in the buildings around them, but given that most of them were stationary in front of tvs or huddled in corners, P.I.X.A.L. didn't classify them as threats. A dock pinged on her internal GPS. Directing the boat toward it, she moored the small vessel.
"We'll have to go on foot from here. We're only a few blocks away."
"Keep to the shadows." Lloyd's voice came out raspy. "We can't risk being spotted."
A muted mumble of agreement met his statement. Stealthily the group slid between buildings until Nya came to a stop in front of a blocky warehouse. She typed a sequence into the door's keypad. Another keypad slid out of the wall. Nya leaned forward and let the device scan her eye. A soft click sounded and the door swung open.
Leading them inside, Nya flipped on the lights. The entire building was an empty cement room. Too exhausted to comment Lloyd leaned against the wall, relieved to be off the street. Yet to his, and the others', surprise Nya walked across the room to the fuse box. They heard the sounds of buttons and with a beep low rumbling shook the building. The remaining ninja force watched as the floor slid back to reveal a hidden bunker.
"I'm thankful for your foresight." Misako could see two bedrooms and a stocked kitchen from the base of the stairs.
Nodding listlessly, Nya walked to the kitchen and collapsed into a chair. "We should be safe here for the rest of the night. But we can't stay in one place too long."
Lloyd and P.I.X.A.L. started to sit at the table but Misako cleared her throat. "You all need rest- yes P.I.X.A.L. even you," she added when the Samurai started to object. "I'll keep watch for now-"
Before she could continue, an emergency alert popped up on P.I.X.A.L.'s internal processor. Pulling up a holographic screen she played it for the group. The picture flickered with a grainy image of Gayle Gossip huddled against a brick wall.
"-oing wild. Police are urging citizens to evacuate the city. The gang appears to be targeting prominent members of the city and locking them in Kryptarium. The mayor and city counsel have been taken and-"
"Hey!" A high pitched shriek came from off-screen. Lloyd frowned, unbidden memories of Ultra Violet's 'exchanges' with him on the Bounty coming to mind.
Twin screams came from Gayle and the cameraman. The picture suddenly tipped sideways and two sets of legs could be seen running away. Purple cloth crossed the screen and the image tilted again.
"Ooohoohoo I know just how to use this!" Ultra's stark white face appeared. "Get ready Ninjago for a new show coming-" P.I.X.A.L. turned it off. Three pale faces reflected in her titanium armor.
"He's doing it. He's really taking over the city." The shade of green coming onto Lloyd's face was not the usual one associated with him.
"I have to call Darreth- and Ronin." Misako gripped the edge of the table. "They're our known associates-"
Nya let out a gasp that cut off Misako's next words. The other three frantically looked around, assuming their position had been compromised, but Nya only put a hand over her mouth as fresh tears started to flow.
"Nya, what is it?" Misako crossed the room and enveloped the water ninja in her arms.
"Call... we-we have to call mom and dad."
A thick silence fell over the group. The ninja's (remaining) parents needed to be informed. Granted they might already have an inkling of what happened given the news coverage of the city's destruction, but it was highly doubtful they knew the extent of Garmadon's wrath. To tell them their sons weren't coming home...
With a sigh that came from the depths of her soul, Misako pulled a chair next to Nya. "I can call Lou, Ed and Edna." She glanced at the distraught ninja at her side. "Nya if you don't want to I can call your parents too."
The young woman blinked sluggishly as she processed Misako's statement. "No... no. It should- they should hear it from me. Before anyone else gets the chance."
Pushing herself up from the table, Nya walked to one of the cabinets lining the room. She pulled out two black flip phones. Burners.
Handing one to Misako, she kept a tight grip on the second. "I'm going to make the call from the room."
She hurried away before anyone could respond.
"I need to locate and cloak the Samurai armor." P.I.X.A.L. shared a glance with Misako. "That must be done before I recharge."
With a nod of accent from Misako, P.I.X.A.L. hurried back up the stairs leaving Lloyd and Misako alone.
"Lloyd?" He didn't even glance in her direction. Misako gently placed her hand on top of his. "Lloyd look at me please."
Slowly Lloyd dragged his eyes to meet hers. Fear, anger and hopelessness shone in them, emotions he hadn't wanted to show his other teammates. "Mom they're-" he broke off, unable to finish his sentence.
"I know Lloyd, I know." Misako hugged her son, running her hand through his hair. "I know."
"I couldn't- I couldn't - they were right there and I couldn't stop it." He paused before uttering a quiet, "This is all my fault."
Misako's hand froze. "Lloyd no-" She didn't get any farther before Lloyd drew back, his eyes bloodshot.
"I let Harumi play me. I got captured. I couldn't stop her from bringing- from bringing him back. I wasn't strong enough to face him and my powers were lost. But it was also me who threw Wu to the ninja. All their- all their deaths are my fault."
"No one could have predicted what Harumi did. This is not your fault." Lloyd shook his head but didn't respond. "We'll figure out what to do next, but first you need sleep."
That elicited a snort from Lloyd. "Don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon."
"Go rest then. Both your body and mind need it."
Unable to muster the energy to protest again Lloyd nodded and disappeared into one of the bedrooms.
Only once he was out of sight did Misako let the tears she'd been holding in fall.
Two rooms down Nya clutched the small phone tightly. Her stomach churned at the thought of what she needed to do and the coming conversation. Deciding to delay it for just a few seconds more, Nya walked into the bathroom.
The mirror- or more accurately her reflection- snagged her attention. Mud, grime and blood coated every visible inch of her. Nya splashed water on her face trying to wash away the reality of the evening. It didn't work. More tears clogged her throat as she realized she'd never see her brother or boyfriend again.
Knowing she couldn't put it off any longer, Nya walked back into the room and sat on the bed. With trembling fingers Nya dialed her mother's number. It was picked up on the sixth ring. "Mom-" She broke off, unable to continue.
"Nya? Nya what happened? What's wrong?"
"Mom it's L-Lord Garmadon. He's back and- and- and he- he... Oh, mom they're gone!"
"What do you mean?" Though Maya felt the terrible coil of fear wrap around her mind, she tried to remain calm for her daughter. Ray hurried over at seeing her face and Maya quickly put the phone on speaker.
"All the guys- Cole, Zane, and- and-" Nya couldn't say the next names, "Garmadon crushed them. They're gone. Lloyd's the only one left." (Technically P.I.X.A.L too but Ray and Maya don't know she has a corporal body).
The following silence was deafening. Several seconds later the sound of shaky breaths filled the room.
"Oh Kai..." Ray's voice broke the fragile dam holding Nya's emotions together.
Sobbing she slid off the bed to her knees. "I wasn't there. I couldn't help them. I failed them."
"No Nya, no." The pain was evident in her father's words. "You were doing what you had to do. This is Garmadon's fault, not yours."
There wasn't much else that could be said. The three stayed on the phone for a long time, unable to do anything but cry together. It could have been anywhere from minutes to hours later when Ray finally spoke.
"We're coming to the city."
Even in her grief induced haze Nya shook her head. "No. No. You can't come to the city. It's chaos out there. You'd be a target because of your connection to us."
"We can still fight back." Though partially veiled by tears, steel entered Maya's tone. "Garmadon has to be stopped before he can do this to anyone else."
"Mom, no. I can't- I can't lose you again too."
"Nya-"
"Please! The gang has already begun capturing city leaders and friends of ours. Your coming will only give them another target."
"We can't leave you there alone!"
"Mom I'm not alone. Lloyd, P.I.X.A.L., and Misako are here. We're trying to figure out what to do but we're safe for the moment. But..." She trailed off an idea tugging at the more functioning area of her mind. "I don't know if the gang is going to try and attack more places beyond the city. Garmadon destroyed several villages already. Could you- could you stay with Mr. Brookstone and the Walkers? They're not able to defend themselves the way you can."
(Although that fact was slightly debatable since, even after a year and a half, Ray and Maya were still recovering physically and psychologically from being held captive for almost two decades.)
"I think that would be good." Maya said slowly. "Do they- do they know?"
The lump rose once more in Nya's throat. "Misako's calling them."
They all were quiet again for a minute.
"Nya we love you." Ray said huskily. "Very much. You and Kai."
"I-I know. Love you too."
"Be safe." It was more of a prayer than a command. One she didn't know if she could keep.
With a final goodbye Nya hung up. Crawling under her covers she, and the other three occupants of the hideout, tossed and turned until the sun rose- as red and raw as the blood filling the city.
Mistaké paused, the broom in her hand falling with a clatter to the destroyed shop floor. A shiver passed through her, one she had not felt in many, many years.
The ninja were no longer in the realm created by the First Spinjitzu Master.
A surge of longing- and maybe a little jealousy- that had been long dormant rose within her. They were getting to see the First Realm. Her home. Or more accurately, as she looked around the tea shop, her former home.
Her spirit had been troubled lately. The surge of dark energy that came with Garmadon's resurrection was unsettling. That deluded child had messed with powers she couldn't even begin to comprehend. The fallout consequences would be severe.
There weren't many ways Mistaké saw this ending for herself, but she wasn't afraid. She'd had many long years in the wonderful land of Ninjago. More than any she called friends realized- except maybe Wu. That man noticed more than she would sometimes give him credit for. But then- in a way- the two of them shared blood.
However, it was time. Time to get things in order. Time to equip young Lloyd for the battle that was to come. And for that he would need friends.
Placing the broom back in its place, Mistaké ignored the rest of the mess surrounding her. She was going on a trip and, if everything went according to how she suspected, it would be Mistaké's last.
A/n- For those curious, the title is derived from the phrase "Red sky at night, Sailors delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning." and from Lord of the Rings when Legolas says "A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night."